YOUNG AMERICAN CREATIVE PATRIOTIC ART AWARDS RECIPIENT

 

Roxbury High School sophomore, David Marconi, has won first place for his patriotic artwork in this year's annual Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards Scholarship Contest sponsored by the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post #2833 in Kenvil.  David will receive a monetary award and a certificate of recognition for his achievement. 

Using pencil, colored pencil, and pastel, Marconi's artwork depicted a gazebo decorated for it's anxiously awaited town hero who will speak at a July 4th celebration in Hometown, USA.  The winning artwork advanced to the second level of competition where it won first place in the District 10 competition. Marconi, along with nine other Patriotic Art district winners, was honored at the Ladies Auxiliary VFW State Recognition Awards Luncheon held at the Sayreville Memorial VFW in April. 

Honorable Mention at the local level of the Patriotic Art contest was awarded to Randi Markovits, a senior at Roxbury High School. Randi will be attending County College of Morris in the fall. 

The judges for this year's contest were artists Nadine E. Weglinski, President of the Art Association in Roxbury (AAR), and Christina DeBarry, Signature Member of the prestigious Pastel Society of America (PSA) where she has also served as it's vice-president and on its Board of Governors. 

Developed in 1978, the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Young American Creative Patriotic Art Awards scholarship contest encourages high school students to use their artistic talents to express their patriotism while giving them the opportunity to win scholarship funds to further their education. Entries are judged on originality of concept, presentation and patriotism expressed, the content of how it relates to patriotism and clarity of ideas, the design technique, total impact of work, and uniqueness.  Teachers, professionals, and persons knowledgeable in art are selected to judge the contest at the local, state, district, and national levels. 

The first-place national winner receives a $10,000 scholarship, a jacket, plaque, and airfare plus two nights' lodging to attend the Ladies Auxiliary National Convention held this year in Salt Lake City, Utah. In addition, the winning artwork is featured on the cover of the Ladies Auxiliary VFW Magazine and on the Auxiliary web site.