Freedom Middle School eighth-grade student Molly Mayes was selected as first-place winner of the Middle School Division in the bookmark contest sponsored by the Tennessee Association of School Librarians (TASL).
Entries were hand drawn or digitally created art illustrating the theme “Your School Library: Where Learning Never Ends.” Applicants were split into four divisions including Primary (Grades K-2), Intermediate (Grades 3-5), Middle School (Grades 6-8) and High School (Grades 9-12). Contest committee chairperson Paige Eisemann said the committee was thrilled with the number of applicants received for this third year of the contest. “It has been so exciting to see what our students really see in our libraries. What better illustration of the importance of reading in their lives than their own creative expression?”
Three judges narrowed down the field to two winners in each division. Dr. Jennifer Snyder (Assistant Professor of Art Education, Austin Peay State University and elected board member of the Tennessee Art Education Association), Dr. Cindy Welch, (Director of the Center for Children’s and Young Adult Literature, University of Tennessee School of Library Science) and Jessica Young (award winning children’s author of such works as My Blue is Happy) chose the first place and honorable mention based on creativity, artistic use of materials, and execution of the theme.
Mayes and Freedom Middle School librarian, Leah Bishop, will be given copies of her bookmark to share with students and family members, an enlargement for the school library, a certificate, and Mayes will receive a $25 cash award, presented by Eisemann and TASL president Lora Ann Black.
School librarian Leah Bishop submitted Mayes’ entry. Also selected to advance to the state competition from Freedom Middle School were Carol Klinedinst and Austin Lane.
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