Holiday Card Art Contest winner Claire Smith visits DCIT graphics communications lab
DARLINGTON, S.C. – Claire Smith, winner of Darlington County School District’s 2018 Holiday Card Art Contest, got a chance to tour the Darlington County Institute of Technology’s (DCIT) graphics communications lab this week. Students at DCIT transformed Smith’s painting of a cheerful reindeer into 1,500 official holiday cards for the school district.
Eric Tew, the graphics communications teacher at DCIT, gave Smith an exciting tour of the graphics facilities at the school before introducing her to the students who made the holiday cards possible. Tew and DCIT also gifted Smith several items that featured her painting, including a mouse pad, coffee mug and cards of her own.
Each school in the district, along with each district administrative office, received a pack of the holiday cards to distribute for a little holiday cheer.
The Darlington County Board of Education will also recognize Smith at an upcoming meeting.
Students in grades K-2 participated in the annual Holiday Card Art Contest, which rotates grade levels each year. Each school participating submitted one finalists artwork, and then district staff voted on a winner. Smith, who is a first grader at Carolina Elementary School, will receive $50 and a certificate for her winning work, while her art teacher, Rita Szigeti, will receive $100 for art supplies at her school.
Eight other finalists were selected for this year’s competition. They are:
• Charlie Davis, First Grade, Cain Elementary School
• Derrika Graham, Second Grade, Rosenwald Elementary/Middle School
• Neleh James, 5K, Pate Elementary School
• McKenzie King, First Grade, Thornwell School for the Arts
• Emmalin Rae Melton, Second Grade, Washington Street Elementary School
• Artez Steele, Second Grade, St. John’s Elementary School
• Kathryn “Lizzy” Steen, Second Grade, North Hartsville Elementary School
• Journey Thomas, Second Grade, Lamar Elementary School
For more information about the Holiday Card Art Contest or the Darlington County Institute of Technology, please call the Office of Communications at 843-398-2284.