By George Slaughter
Work by Mackenzie McMeans (Katy ISD)
Two elementary school students in the Katy Independent School District have created artworks that have landed them places in the Veterans of Foreign Wars National Competition.
The students, Memorial Parkway Elementary first-grader Daniel Torres and Katy Elementary third-grader Mackenzie McMeans, both won first place in their respective age divisions in the Texas VFW Illustrated America contest.
Their red, white and blue two-dimensional artworks will now compete against 50 other students across the nation for first, second, and third places in distinct division levels.
This is the second year of the patriotic art contest for elementary and junior high school students.
“It is exciting to see our students display their pride in being an American through their drawings and paintings,” Susan Chiboroski, assistant fine arts director, said in a news release. “Through art competitions and other programs offered by various VFW organizations, students also develop a respect for veterans and active servicemen and women who contribute to making our country one of the best in the world.”
McMeans’s and Torres’s artwork is now being judged for the upcoming national competition at the VFW national headquarters being judged for the upcoming national competition. Winners of the National VFW Illustrated America contest will be announced the week of July 25 through the VFW Auxiliary National Organization Facebook page. Winners will receive a $100 gift card.
Jennifer Mabray is McMeans’s Katy Elementary teacher. Pedro CFastro is Torres’s Memorial Parkway Elementary teacher.
Work by Daniel Torres (Katy ISD)