Douglas County's future is bright with young artistic talent as the winners of the Douglas County Elections Student Art Contest 2024 have been announced, showcasing a diverse range of creativity and patriotic expression ahead of the upcoming Presidential Election. The contest drew nearly 1500 public votes and was led by a panel of judges including Douglas County Clerk and Recorder Sheri Davis, with entries spread across four categories, themed around Americana and democratic values.
According to Doulas County, the youngest artists, in the K-2nd Grade category, displayed their take on "America the Beautiful," yielding Aadith Kancharla of Leman Academy the first-place win for "Beautiful America", while Shyla Rai from Northeast Elementary clinched the first place in the 3rd-5th Grade category for "President Theodore Roosevelt. In the 6th-8th Grade "Stars and Stripes" category, Gavin Shaklee from Castle Rock Middle School took home the top honors for "The Apache," and the "Let Freedom Ring" theme for 9th-12th graders saw Gabriella Renfroe of Rock Canyon High School winning first place with "Indivisible."
As reported by Douglas County, Davis expressed excitement about involving the youth in democratic processes, stating, "I’m so excited to engage young people in our democracy. Educating future generations about the importance of voting and the security and integrity of the process is essential and I’m thrilled we’ve had such a positive response." She encouraged community members to utilize DouglasVotes.com not only for election information and resources but also to celebrate the student artists.
Beyond the winners, twelve additional students earned Honorable Mentions, among them were Charley Banta's "Statue of Liberty," Liam Arnold's "Purple Mountain Majesty," and Ryan Gupta's "The Beginning of a Legacy", all testifying to the enduring symbols and narratives that shape the nation's identity and history. These artworks, along with the winning pieces, will be on display in various Douglas County government buildings, solidifying the youngsters' contributions to civic education and public spaces for years to come.
