Local students across Carbon County are being recognized for their artistic and literary talents after the Carbon County committee for America250PA announced the winners of its Education Contests, held in celebration of the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The contests, open to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, invited entries under two categories: an art contest and an essay contest, with age-appropriate themes ranging from “What America Means to Me” for the youngest participants to “What Carbon County Means to Me” and “Heroes of Carbon County” for older students.

Entries were due in mid-March and were judged by local members of the Pennsylvania Association of School Retirees along with the America250PA Carbon County education committee. Students across the county completed 133 art entries with 41 essay submissions.

Art Contest Winners

• Kindergarten: Nadine Omundi, Parkside Elementary School, Palmerton

• 1st Grade: Brody Tkach, Lehighton Elementary Center, Lehighton

• 2nd Grade: Evelyn Klotz, Lehighton Elementary Center, Lehighton

• 3rd Grade: Jackson Mazzola, Penn Kidder Elementary, Jim Thorpe

• 4th Grade: Elyse Mickey, Lehighton Elementary Center, Lehighton

• 5th Grade: Kayley Reiss, S.S. Palmer Elementary, Palmerton

• 8th Grade: Benjamin Henery-Amorim, Palmerton Area Junior HighSchool, Palmerton

Essay Contest Winners

• 3rd Grade: Florence Tkach, Lehighton Elementary Center, Lehighton

• 4th Grade: Joseph Platt, Penn Kidder Elementary, Jim Thorpe

• 6th-8th Grade: Hunter Garrison, Penn Kidder Elementary, Jim Thorpe

• 9th-12th Grade: Nevele Matias, Panther Valley High School, Panther Valley

Winning entries reflected the spirit of the contest themes, with younger students illustrating what they love about living in Carbon County, and older students exploring the landmarks, traditions, and everyday heroes that make Carbon County special.

Elementary and middle school student writing focused on enjoying many of the beautiful outdoor activities that the area affords, such as visiting the D&L Trail, Carbon County Environmental Center, Lake Harmony, Blue Mountain Resort, Eckley Miners Village, the Old Jail Museum in Jim Thorpe, Mauch Chunk Lake, and Beltzville and Hickory Run State Parks, while also picking berries at Foot Hill and Frey Cooper Farms.

The winning high school entry focused on the role that teachers play as the “heroes” of Carbon County.

In her essay, Nevel Matias writes that “Through their kindness, sacrifice, and commitment, (teachers) shape the lives and build a better future for Carbon County. These heroes remind us that true heroism is found not in glory, but in service, care, and dedication to others.”

According to contest organizers, one winner was selected from each category.

Winners were presented with a certificate and gift card in May.

All Carbon County school districts were encouraged to participate in the celebration, which is part of a broader statewide effort through America250PA to commemorate the nation’s founding.

“To celebrate a historic year, these young artists and writers gave us a meaningful look at what home means to them. We were pleased to see a wonderful turnout of the exceptional talent that our county students possess,” said Lisa Snell Kern, a member of the Carbon County America250PA committee, who helped coordinate the contests.

For more information about Carbon County America250PA upcoming events celebrating the nation’s semiquincentennial, visit www.poconomountains.com/america250pa.