Richland Newhope salutes 2018 coloring contest winners

NEWS RELEASE                  

FOR RELEASE – THURSDAY, MARCH 1, 2018

Contact: Jane Imbody, Director of Community Relations,419-774-4215, 419-544-0527, or jimbody@rnewhope.org

Richland Newhope salutes coloring contest winners

 (Mansfield, OH) – Seventeen Richland County students have been selected as winners of the 25^th Annual Richland County Third Grade Coloring Contest.  The event is sponsored by Richland Newhope/Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March.  This year’s theme is ‘Celebrate CommUNITY.’

 Richland County schools with third grade classes were invited to participate in the contest.  Students were asked to color a picture featuring three children, one of whom uses a wheelchair, playing in the snow.  The message on the picture simply said ‘Inclusion is within everyone’s ability.’  Newhope received 533 entries from 17 schools.  One winner was chosen from each school.  Ethan Mollett, an artist at Element of Art Studio/Gallery, assisted with the selection of this year’s winners. 

“For more than two decades this activity has given Richland Newhope an opportunity to reach young people with an awareness message and to foster long-term acceptance and full integration of individuals with disabilities in our communities,” said Richland Newhope Community Relations Director Jane Imbody.  “We’re pleased our local schools see the value in continuing to participate in this contest.”

Contest winners, their parents, teacher, principal, and superintendent have been invited to a pizza party at 11 a.m. on Fri., March 2, at Newhope’s Early Childhood Center, 255 Hedges Street.  Special guest will be Miss Maple City Outstanding Teen 2018 Ellie Nickoli.  Shelby Mayor Steven Schag will present his city’s proclamation.  The children will also have an opportunity to participate in simulated disability activities.

This year’s coloring contest winners are: Lilly Zellner, Auburn Elementary; Erika Hollar, Butler Elementary; Marily Sanchez, Central Elementary; Jada Kuhlman, Crestview Elementary; Brady McQuillen, Dowds Elementary; Caden Bishop, Eastview Elementary; Hayden Johnson, Foundation Academy; Johnathon Byrd, John Sherman Elementary; Kirra Kiser, Madison South Elementary; Michelle Hope, Mansfield Christian School; KeJuan Willis, Prospect Elementary; Charly Milligan, Sacred Heart School; Amelia Raphael, Spanish Immersion School; Peyton Bruskotter, Shelby St. Mary’s School; D’Andre Martin, St. Peter’s Elementary; Emilee Van Gilder, Western Elementary; and Daniel Thompson, Woodland Elementary.

Each of the winners will receive a certificate, a folder filled with disability awareness activity pages, a photograph with Miss Ohio, and a gift bag that includes three coloring books and crayons plus an American Sign Language “I Love You” sucker.

In 2017, the Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities (Richland Newhope) served more than 1,600 individuals through early intervention, preschool, transition services, day services, supported employment, residential, therapy, and other family support programs.

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