BROWNSTOWN – State Representative Deb Kennedy (D-Brownstown) recently announced the winners of her Michigan Week Poster Contest for local fourth-grade students. The winners are Abrianna DeMatteo of Hunter Elementary School in Brownstown; Lauren Greathead of Bates Elementary School in Woodhaven; Leah Ritchie of St. Mary's School in Rockwood; and Spencer King of Brown Elementary School in New Boston.
"I would like to congratulate our winners, as well as all of those who participated in the poster contest," Kennedy said. "I am truly amazed by the creative and colorful works of art submitted by our talented students. It has been an honor to have the posters of all the participants on display in my Lansing office, where they have received compliments from my colleagues and visitors, who praise the creativity and beauty of each poster."
Michigan Week, which ran May 16 through May 22, aims to inspire people to embrace, explore and celebrate the history, resources and opportunities that make Michigan special. In celebration, Kennedy held a contest for fourth-graders in the 23rd District to decorate an 8½-by-11-inch poster highlighting this year's Michigan Week theme, "Great Lakes, Great Traditions."
Kennedy announced the winners at a reception Monday at the Brownstown Community Center and presented each of them with a certificate in recognition of their hard work. The works by all contest participants were on display last month in Kennedy's legislative office in Lansing. Finalist Lauren Greathead won the grand prize and received a State of Michigan flag previously flown over the State Capitol.
"Michigan Week is a time of the year when we all can learn a little more about our great state and the resources that set us apart from anywhere else in the country," Kennedy said. "The enthusiasm demonstrated by our poster contest winners and participants just goes to show the importance of getting our children involved in this celebration and allowing them to embrace Michigan's rich history."