LEWISTON STUDENT WINS HOLIDAY CARD CONTEST

Benicio Avila, a second-grade student at Orchards Elementary School in Lewiston, has won the 2012 Holiday Card Contest, Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Luna announced today.

“Congratulations to Benicio Avila for demonstrating such amazing talent at such a young age,” Superintendent Luna said. “Idaho’s annual Holiday Card Contest is a great way to celebrate the importance of arts in education and showcase the great talent of Idaho’s students.” 

Benicio Avila's Winning Design

Benicio, 8, depicted a beautiful scene of birch trees on a winter night. His artwork will be featured on the State Department of Education’s holiday greeting card this year, which is sent to schools, districts and others across the state. He also will receive a certificate and copies of the greeting card to share with his friends and family members.

“We are so proud of Benicio Avila for being selected as the statewide holiday art contest winner,” said Joy Rapp, Superintendent of the Lewiston School District. “His artwork is unique, and he has already developed his own style. His card is an amazing example of art work as a creative form of expression.”

Superintendent Luna also awarded the following grade-level winners across the state:

• Kindergarten: Calvin Whitecotton, Bovill Elementary, Whitepine School District

• 1^st Grade: Hanna Shepard, Centennial Elementary, Lewiston School District

• 2^nd Grade: Benicio Avila, Orchards Elementary, Lewiston School District (also the Grand Prize Winner)

• 3^rd Grade: Carman Stricklin, Bovill Elementary, Whitepine School District

• 4^th Grade: Renae McGarry, Whitman Elementary, Lewiston School District

• 5^th Grade: Savannah Robinson, Fernan Elementary, Coeur d’Alene School District

• 6^th Grade: Daphne Buckland, Genesee School District

Congratulations to all the winners!  Each student will receive a certificate of recognition. The winning entries are posted online at http://www.sde.idaho.gov/site/media_center/.