Young artists honored by Valley Women’s Club

The Valley Women’s Club and the Monterey Bay Air Resources District again joined this year in honoring young artists in the San Lorenzo Valley Unified School District, grades K-12.
Challenged to create art that would increase public awareness of air quality issues in the mountains in the winter months, the winners displayed their artwork at the district’s school board meeting last month, when the winners were publicly announced.
The contest provided San Lorenzo Valley children the chance to be creative while helping bring awareness to the San Lorenzo Valley air quality issues, which are created largely by wood-burning smoke from heating during the winter.
SLV Superintendent of Schools Dr. Laurie Bruton stated: “We are always happy to show off the talents of our students, particularly when it serves our community of San Lorenzo Valley.”
“All of our schools stress community services. Joining students’ artistic ability and their desire to improve conditions in the community is a perfect match for the art contest.”
The art contest is an idea that was born from citizen input which was solicited and organized by Fifth District Supervisor Bruce McPherson to help solve the critical air quality issues our community faces.
“The air quality issue in the San Lorenzo Valley can be addressed – and solved – by our local community. That solution will require an educational process and having our creative students show us how to do that through their artwork will be an important part of our success,” McPherson said.
The Valley Women’s Club Environmental Committee is also supporting the art contest. “We are excited to support this effort to help reduce dangerous air pollution levels in the SLV through this contest that also encourages creative expression of ideas” said Chairperson Nancy Macy.
McPherson and David Frisbey, Planning and Air Monitoring Manager for the Monterey Bay Air Resources District, presented the awards.
The Grand Prize winner was Sarah Jane Murphy, 9th Grade at SLV High School.
The other prize winners were: 
Grades 9-12: First: Lori Claes (9^th Grade); Second: Mira Wichelmann (9^th Grade)
Grades 7-8:; First: Griffin Hardisty (8^th Grade)
Grades 4-6: First: Ashli Trageseb (6^th Grade); Second: Simone Tanner (4^th Grade); Third Ella Grace Still (5^th Grade); Honorable Mention): Ari Robin (4^th Grade)
Grades K-3: First: Avery Armstrong (3^rd Grade); Second: Lila Robins, (K); Third: Shelly Thomas (1^st Grade)
The winning artwork will be displayed at the County Building, 701 Ocean Street, Santa Cruz.