Brigham Young University’s Center for the Study
of Europe and Intercultural Outreach
Spring 2004 Art and Essay Contest
Europe: Past, Present, Future
Over 200 students participated in the first annual art and essay contest designed to challenge students to cultivate an understanding of Europe’s past, become knowledgeable about important current events, and consider developments in Europe’s future and generally understand their world better by learning about Europe.
Artists were given the prompt “A day in (country name of student’s choice). In the K-2 Category Amanda Gao of Spring Creek Elementary School won 1st Place for her depiction of Italy; runners-up were James Moyle (Canyon Crest Elementary School) and Aisha Lehman (Westridge Elementary School).
In the Grade 3-4 category Brittany Nielsen of Meadow Elementary School won 1st Place for her drawing of France; runners-up were Carissa Lords (Meadow Elementary School) and Mary Wells (Home School).
In the Grade 5-6 category Keri Erdmann of Hillcrest Elementary won 1st Place for her painting of Poland; runners up were Jessie Wilkins (Spanish Fork Middle School) and Chelsea Anderson (Westland Elementary School).
In the Grade 7-9 Essay Contest students responded to one of two questions:
- Describe one major world event that has positively or negatively affected the US-European relationship since World War II. What predictions do you have for the future of US-European relations?
- In your life, what most influences your view of Europe? Movies? School? News? After researching on European country in specific, has this view changed? Why or why not?
John McManemin won 1st Place for his essay titled, “My European Connection.” In his essay, which discusses his family ties to Austria, McManemin concludes, “I understand now that Austria and the rest of Europe are not like a historical painting that is only there to enjoy.”
Runners-up in the Grade 7-9 Category were Cassidy Jones and McKell Preece, both of Wasatch Mountain Junior High School.
The two questions in the Grade 9-12 Essay Contest were:
- In 1882, the prominent French theorist Ernest Renan delivered a lecture entitled “What is a Nation” at the Sorbonne in Paris. In this famous speech he predicted, “The nations are not something eternal. They had their beginnings and they will end. A European confederation will very probably replace them” In your opinion, has Renan’s prediction now come true?
- Europe’s natural, man-made, and cultural boundaries have mapped its history. How have boundaries in Europe shaped its past? What kind of boundaries do you think will most affect Europe’s future?
Responding to Renan’s statement, Stephanie Baker of Hillcrest High School won 1st Place for her essay titled, “Close But No Cigar.” Baker wrote, “The nations of Europe have not come to an end because Europeans have been willing to move toward true unity only economically, because of differences in political ideology that have historically separated Europe and continue to do so today, and because of the ever-present forces of nationalism that shaped current European relationships and continue to influence political, economic, and social conditions across the continent.”
Runners-up in the Grade 10-12 Category were Katherine Vail (Meridian High School) and Gleb Kuznetsov (Hillcrest High School).
An awards reception honoring the winners and their schools was held October 14, 2004 at the Harold R. Clark Building, home of the David M. Kennedy Center on the campus of Brigham Young University.
The 1st Place winners and runners-up in each art category received $25 cash prizes. The five honorable mention participants per category also received $10 prizes. In addition, the schools of the three finalists in each category received $100 cash prizes as well as a set of CultureGrams for their school library.The first place winners in each essay category were awarded $100 cash prizes and their essays were published in Bridges magazine, a Kennedy Center publication. The two runners-up in each category received $50 cash prizes. The schools of the winners and finalists also received $100 cash prizes as well as a set of CultureGrams for their school library.
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All content copyright 2009 David M. Kennedy Center for International Studies.
Photo
Gallery
BYU Museum of Art
