COLUMN: Nevada Housing Division announces winners of art contest

For the sixth consecutive year, the Housing Division of the Nevada Depart- ment of Business and Industry held its art contest, titled "Where I Live." All Clark County elementary school- children were eligible to enter.

Jean Norton, who runs the contest for the division, received art from 22 schools.

I was asked again to be one of the judges and was pleased to serve. It's tough to say, "This art is good," while "that one isn't." All art is subjective and without the little artists there to explain their work, we, the jury, had to make decisions based on our own experience.

Of the more than 800 pieces entered, 100 were selected to be exhibited Jan. 14-28 in The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. The winners will be recognized during a reception Jan. 15.

Pardee Homes continues its sponsorship by donating U.S. savings bonds to the top entrants. Special thanks goes to Ray Landry, vice president of sales for the company's Nevada Division, who hands out the savings bonds. Pardee has been a member of the community for about 50 years and always is in the forefront of donating its time and money to worthwhile projects, especially those involving children.

This year, Piero's restaurant contributed $500. Of that, $100 will be divided among the five runners-up and the rest will go to the participating schools.

This year's winners are:

First Place: Jason Lockard, a fifth-grader at Ronzone Elementary School, whose art teacher is Deanna Fleischer. Jason receives a $300 bond.

Second Place: Matthew Miller, a second-grader at Goldfarb Elementary School, whose art teacher is Jeanne Bayless. Matthew receives a $150 bond.

Third Place: Chris Eric Thomas, a fourth-grader at Martha P. King Elementary School, whose art teacher is Mignon Slentz. Chris Eric receives a $100 bond;

Judge's Choice: Aubon B. Opeña, a fourth-grader at Snyder Elementary School, whose teacher is Paula Workman. Aubon receives a $50 bond.

Honorable Mentions: Michael Bowerman, second grade, Heard Elementary School, Mimi Diehl art teacher; Duangmanee Maneeraj, fifth grade, Goldfarb, Jeanne Bayless; Christopher Buenaventura, fifth grade, Goldfarb, Jeanne Bayless; Haylee Hinton, fourth grade, Tobler Elementary School, Norma Hagan; Andrew Holland, fifth grade, Ronzone, Deanna Fleischer; Rachel M. Rodriguez, fourth grade, Derfelt Elementary School, Sandra Zinkevich; Keyla Mondragon, third grade, Ronzone, Deanna Fleischer; Micaela Nielson, first grade, Thorpe Elementary School, Clezelle Scherer; Jose Carreon, fifth grade, Ronzone, Deanna Fleischer; and Mitchell Cizmas, fourth grade, Goldfarb, Jeanne Bayless. Honorable mentions receive $25 bonds.

The artwork from those 14 pupils will be displayed on the Housing Division's 2002 calendar. Photos of Jason Lockard, Matthew Miller, Chris Eric Thomas and Aubon Opeña will accompany a story in this section Dec. 23.

Runners-up receiving a $20 award are: Aimee Beirle, fourth grade, Antonello Elementary School, Tina Laureano; Matt Strouse, fourth grade, M.P. King, Mignon Slentz; Lyndsey C. Morgan, fifth grade, The Meadows, Bill Bissell; William Vance, fifth grade, Tobler, Norma Hagan; and John Ling, third grade, Mabel Hoggard, Gale Kuszmaul.

Last week I received the distressing news that Deanna Fleischer is in critical condition from a heart attack. Fleischer's pupils have participated in the "Where I Live" art contest from its inception, and the quality of those entries are mute testimonial to Fleischer's excellence as an art teacher and a motivator of youngsters. Our thoughts and prayers go to this outstanding woman.

Carmel Hopkins, real estate product manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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