Youth Services

Students show Nebraska spirit in art contest

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Nebraska elementary school students have plenty of state spirit.

They demonstrated that with their artwork in the 2007 Nebraska Spirit Art Contest, which was designed to promote the state to the Internet community.

The contest for students in kindergarten through fifth grade was sponsored by Secretary of State John Gale and Nebraska.gov, the state’s official Web portal.

The winners in each grade will have their work featured for one year on a downloadable screen saver available at www.nebraska.gov.

The winners were:

• Kindergarten: Carson Amack, Heartland Community School, Henderson.
• First grade: Brittany Quiring, Heartland Community School, Henderson.
• Second grade: Vanessa Taylor, McAndrew Elementary School, Ainsworth.
• Third grade: Brigett Effenbeck, Deshler Lutheran School, Deshler.
• Fourth grade: Devin Lally, Shoemaker Elementary School, Grand Island.
• Fifth grade: Brooke Olmer, St. Anthony School, Columbus.

“I am pleased that we have the opportunity to show the world the winners’ wonderful artwork that represents their proud Nebraska spirit,” Gale said.

The winners were determined through online voting from May 11-25 that involved five finalists from each grade.

On June 8, the winners and their families were hosted to a day of activities in Lincoln, including a ceremony at the State Capitol with Gov. Dave Heineman and Gale, a tour of the State Capitol, a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion and a visit to the Lincoln Children’s Zoo.

The contest winners were honored at a June 8 ceremony at the State Capitol. Front row (from left): Vanessa Taylor of Ainsworth, Brooke Olmer of Columbus, Brigett Effenbeck of Deshler, Brittany Quiring of Henderson, Carson Amack of Henderson and Devin Lally of Grand Island. Back row (from left): Carmen Easley and Brian Stevenson of Nebraska.gov, Secretary of State John Gale and Gov. Dave Heineman.

Gov. Dave Heineman presented certificates to the contest winners.

Secretary of State John Gale addressed the winners and their families at a luncheon at the Governor’s Mansion.

The winners and their families enjoyed a tour of the State Capitol.

Kindergarten winner Carson Amack’s artwork.

First grade winner Brittany Quiring’s artwork.

Second grade winner Vanessa Taylor’s artwork.

Third grade winner Brigett Effenbeck’s artwork.

Fourth grade winner Devin Lally’s artwork.

Fifth grade winner Brooke Olmer’s artwork.