THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, September 14, 1994 TAG: 9409130136
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 06 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY LINDA McNATT
DATELINE: ISLE OF WIGHT LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines
The first full day at Hardy Elementary School wasn't over last week before David Mills, a fifth-grader, already was a celebrity.
David was the winner in the schoolwide art contest held last year to design the cover for the 1994-95 parent-student handbook.
A committee of teachers and administrators selected the winner at the close of school from more than 30 designs submitted. David's name was announced on Sept. 6, and he was handed a $50 U.S. savings bond, donated by the Bank of Isle of Wight, for his artistic efforts.
But better yet, a copy of the design went home with every student at Hardy on opening day on the front of more than 750 student handbooks.
The design depicts a youngster sitting on a bench just behind the school and thinking to himself how much he'd like to go to Hardy, and it uses the school's motto; ``Hardy Elementary School - Where great things begin!!''
David, 10, is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Flemon Mills and lives in Smithfield's historic old town. He started at Hardy Elementary in kindergarten, he said. And he loves to draw, especially dragons, motorcycles, people and landscapes.
``Last year, when we were leaving school each day on the bus, I'd look back at the school, and I guess that's what I tried to draw,'' he said. ``The kid is maybe the brother or sister of somebody who is already going to Hardy, and the kid is thinking that they would like to go to Hardy, too.''
David said the committee came back to him last year and asked him to enlarge his design so it would be the right size for the handbook cover.
His selection as the winner, he said, was a surprise. Art is his favorite subject. After that, he likes science and social studies. He already has college and career plans in mind. He wants to go to the University of Virginia, he said, and study architecture or some similar subject that would allow him to use art.
And what will he do with the $50 savings bond he got for winning the cover design contest?
Why, save it, of course, ``for college.''
David's original artwork will be framed and hung in the main office. And the contest will now become an annual event, Principal Richard Crawford said.
Rules for the art contest are on the inside cover page of this year's handbook. Entries may be done in pencil, ink, marker or on the computer, and they must be suitable for black and white reproduction.
The words ``Hardy Elementary School - 1995-96,'' and ``Parent-Student Handbook'' must be on each entry, along with the student's name and grade level. ILLUSTRATION: Photo by LINDA McNATT
David Mills displays his winning design for the Hardy Elementary
student handbook.
by CNB