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Young artists throughout the state gained insight into
Native American cultures and beliefs by participating in the WEAC Human
Relations Committee’s annual 4th-Grade Poster Contest.
This year’s artists focused on the theme, “Live in Peace. Cultivate
Peace.”
The winning posters, displayed on this page, were submitted
by (top to bottom) Ben Stark in Robin Peterson’s class at Lake Country
School, Hartland; Meryl Ellingson in Robin Fatzinger’s class at Wilkins
Elementary School, Platteville; and Nicole Lee Jorgensen in Mike Madden’s
class at Sevastopol Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay.
Winners each receive a book, “The Birchbark House,”
by Louise Erdrich, and a $100 savings bond.
The contest promotes knowledge and appreciation of diverse
races and cultures, particularly Native Americans. It aligns with a state
law that requires 4th-grade teachers to teach a unit on Native American
tribes indigenous to Wisconsin.
“Teachers whose students have participated in the
past report that students enjoy making the posters, they learn a great
deal, and there’s the excitement of the contest, with the potential
for winning prizes,” said committee chair Donelle Johnson, of Milwaukee.
The annual deadline for submitting posters is in January.
The contest theme for next year is “Learn All You Can,” a message
from Sitting Bull, who encouraged young people to learn the new ways without
giving up being Indian. He was quoted as saying, “My grandchildren,
be good. Try and make a mark for yourselves. Learn all you can.”
Teachers must submit entries to their local association presidents by January 16, 2004. The top three posters at the local level are sent to UniServ presidents by January 30. After judging by the UniServs, the top three posters are submitted to WEAC by the end of February.
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By Ben Stark
Robin Peterson’s class at Lake Country School, Hartland |
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By Meryl Ellingson
Robin Fatzinger’s class at Wilkins Elementary School, Platteville |
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By Nicole Lee Jorgensen
Mike Madden’s class at Sevastopol Elementary School in Sturgeon Bay |
Posted May 14, 2003