Victor art students excelled in the creation of the Poppy Poster, as part of a contest sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary each spring throughout the United States.
Two students from Victor won first place in their respective age groups and another placed third.
“As exciting as that is, what we have never seen in my 12 years of chairing this program is that one of the Victor state winners also won our district competition, making her one of the five best entries in all the United States in 2017,” said Tori Nobles, Unit 91 member.
The poster art work of Victor sophomore Kaitlynn Deering won in her division for the state and was selected in the top five for the nation.
The Corvallis American Legion Auxiliary Unit 91 works with art teachers in both Corvallis and Victor schools and accepts posters entries from both. Units throughout Montana contribute each spring to the contest and the Corvallis women select the poster that most embodies the Flanders Field Poppy while adhering to strict National Poppy Poster guidelines.
The winners locally advance to district and national competition to be the number one poster in the United States.
In late November, the local American Legion Auxiliary attended the Victor school’s morning assembly to present awards. The theme for the assembly was “Heroes” and how having someone believe in your abilities promotes self-worth.
Victor Art teacher Jennifer Ogden said Bitterroot Valley schools model respect and appreciation for the veteran community through classroom lessons and celebratory events for the public such as Veteran's Day events. The 100th anniversary of World War I has been the source of discussion in recent years.
“That's serendipitous, due the origin of the poppy as a symbol of fallen soldiers and the famous poem by Canadian physician, Lieutenant John MaCrae in 1915, called In Flanders Fields,” Ogden said.
Ogden said the Poppy Poster contest is an opportunity for students to show they appreciate their family, friends, and community members who are veterans.
Deering was honored for her work at the assembly.
“I appreciate her careful, thoughtful approach to her work,” Ogden said. “Our other two first-place winners, Ali Elliott and Eli Rosen, used this as a thoughtful exercise as well. Ali went on to win first place in the state and Eli won third place for his age division in the state.”
Elliott has graduated and is serving her country through the Americorps: Corporation for National and Community Service.
Victor school artists winners are: Class II Grades 4 and 5 - first Haylie Tolley, second Darvin Thomason, and third Daniel Crosbie; Class III Grades 6 and 7 - first Izabella Scichilone, second Elias Noriega, and third Robert Crosbie; Class IV Grades 8 and 9 - first Kaitlynn Deering (won first in state and North West Division winner for the nation), second Haylea Wemple, and third Gracie Smith; Class V Grades 10 and 11 - first Elijah Rosen (won third in state), second Teasha Johnson, and third Autumn Garrard; Class VI Grade 12 - first Ali Elliot (won first in state), second Zoey Strong and third Gerardo Irollo; Special Class VII - first Micah Bingham.
