Heritage and art have found a youthful following in New Westminster.
The City of New Westminster recently held its annual colouring and poster/photography contests as part of Heritage Week celebrations. This year's contests focused on a theme of Good Neighbours: Heritage Homes and Neighbourhoods.
Kindergarten to Grade 3 students were able to enter a colouring contest, which featured a line drawing by artist Katherine Freund-Hainsworth of two 1920s houses that are located in the 300-block of Fourth Avenue. Acting mayor Jaimie McEvoy said the city received 835 entries, which made judging difficult for judges.
"We are very pleased with the enthusiastic response and the quality of entries," he said at an award presentation ceremony on March 11. "These contests highlight the importance of our community's heritage to us. Thanks to all who participated again this year."
In the kindergarten colouring contest, Jasleen Gill from Queen Elizabeth placed first, with Patricia Lagas (Queen Elizabeth) in second and Audrey Leung (F.W. Howay) in third. Raghav Sharma (Queen Elizabeth), Adrianna Ericka Bayrante (Richard McBride), Siera Sampson and Sophia Shactman (John Robson) and Emma Lo (Lord Tweedsmuir) earned honourable mentions.
Tyler MacLennan from Lord Tweedsmuir won first place in the Grade 1 colouring contest, followed by Zoe Bishop (F.W. Howay) in second and Shantei Leal (Queen Elizabeth) in third. Honourable mentions for Grade 1 went to Arthur Paulino (Queen Elizabeth), Ada Niu and Julia Sedore (Lord Tweedsmuir), Christina Rizzo (Herbert Spencer), and Keith Davis (Lord Kelvin).
Hannah Sjodin of John Robson placed first in the Grade 2 colouring contests, while Jamie Lam (Lord Tweedsmuir) took second place and Anna Rodriguez (F.W. Howay) placed third. Honourable mentions went to Gryphin Kury, Savanah Agas and Sergey Chernomorchenko (John Robson), Nicole Shane (Queen Elizabeth) and Josef Baquiran (Lord Tweedsmuir).
Grade 3 students also demonstrated their artistic skills in the contest, with Ayana Seymour (F.W. Howay) placing first, Alisha Hannay (Lord Tweedmuir) placing second and Carly Neumeier (Richard McBride) coming in third in the colouring contest. April Lavanchy (Queen Elizabeth), Sharyn Alobu (John Robson), Teela Leduc (F.W. Howay), Nina Bao (Richard McBride) and Kaya Bruce (Herbert Spencer) earned honourable mentions in the Grade 3 category.
As part of Heritage Week, students in grades 4 and 5 entered a heritage poster or photography contest.
Jasmeen Dhaliwal (Queen Elizabeth) took top spot in the contest, followed by Didi Dimitrova (Richard McBride) and Kyra Horikiri (Richard McBride). Sophia Sun and Martin Vatsev (Richard McBride), Kirk Thomas Fhrancis Rodriguez (Queen Elizabeth) and Kayla Mah and Saira Sohi (Lord Tweedsmuir) received honourable mentions.
The City of New Westminster, said McEvoy, has the best heritage week in British Columbia year after year.
"The participants did incredible work," said Coun. Chuck Puchmayr. "It's nice to see that art and heritage live in New Westminster. They are all winners. I wish them well in their artistic endeavours."
tmcmanus@royalcityrecord.com
