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“It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.” –Pablo Picasso
A child or teen’s unbridled creativity often surprises adults because youngsters remind us that it’s okay to break the rules and to be adventurous, especially with art. It’s a lesson that was on full display through more than a hundred artworks at the Aurora Mental Health Center’s (AuMHC) Annual Student Art Contest and Show on Monday, October 29 at the Crowne Plaza Denver Airport Convention Center. Students K-12 from Aurora schools entered a wide variety of creative works representing drawing, painting, collage, or photography that best represented this year’s theme: “What does ‘Be Kind’ Mean to You?” Awards were announced for Grades K-3, 4-6, 7-8, and 9-12, and four CEO’s Choice Awards selected by incoming AuMHC director Dr. Kelly Phillips-Henry.
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Sophie of High Plains Elementary wins 2nd place (K-3rd grade)
On hand were Board President Harrison Cochran and Fundraising/Events Chair Mark Stephenson to award 20 individual arts award with some help from Steve Mazzini of Colorado Access. One way the organization provides support for children and youth in the community is through their School Based Team, which provides mental health care and behavioral support for youth and their families at 34 schools across four school districts and well as Community College of Aurora.
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AuMHC CEO Kelly Phillips-Henry thanked parents, kids and sponsors
Prior to joining AuMHC, Dr. Phillips-Henry served as Chief Executive Officer at Mental Health Partners in Boulder. She is a U.S. Air Force veteran with background work as a psychologist, management in behavioral health and integrated physical healthcare.
The AuMHC art winners this year:
Grades K thru 3:
2nd Place to Sophie Joslyn, 1st Grade from High Plains Elementary, for Be Kind to Animals
1st Place to Cora Hankins, 3rd Grade, from High Plains Elementary, for Sprinkle a Trail of Kindness
Grades 4 thru 6:
2nd Place to Olivia Hoffman, 5th Grade, from Belleview Elementary, for “Be Kind To The Earth”
1st Place to Olivia Nuetzel, 5th Grade, from High Plains Elementary School, for “Generations of Love”
Grades 7 thru 8:
2nd Place to Emma Dienhart, 8th Grade, from Fox Ridge Middle School, for “Kind Goes Around”
1st Place to Samantha Tiongson, 7th Grade, from St Pius X, for “Kindness Matters”
Grades 9 thru 12:
2nd Place to Jasmine Tucker, 12th Grade, from William Smith High School, for “If you are my Shield, I will be your Umbrella”
1st Place to Isabella Drew, 12th Grade, from Hinkley High School, for “When You Give A Kid Some Kindness”
For Photography:
2nd Place to Manharsh Mohan, 11th Grade, from Overland High School, for “The Gift of Love”
1st Place goes to Frances Quintana, 10th Grade, from Overland High School, for “Be Kind To Nature”
Teacher Recognition:
Brooks Hart, High Plains Elementary School
Kristen Ergenbright, St. Pius X
Georgene Gallington, Hinkley High School
James Dykstra, Overland High School
CEO’s Choice Awards:
Lily Hurtgen, High Plains Elementary: “Kindness Shared is Beautiful”
Elize Zhang High Plains Elementary: “You Are Special Whoever You Are”
Liam Hose, Fox Ridge Elementary: “Kindness Matters First”
MacKennzie Price, High Plains Elementary: “Forever Loving”
Trinity Helfin, Aurora Central High School: “Love One Another”
Special thanks to this year’s sponsors: Citywide Banks and Colorado Access. For more information on how to volunteer and donate to AuMHC please visit their web site: www.aumhc.org or call 303- 617-2300.
- Josh Tiongson with daughter, Samantha
- More than 20 schools and organizations were represented this year
- Approximately 287 artworks were on display this year
- Besides watercolors and acrylic painting were photographs
- AuMHC staff member Antoinette Dow with son, Frederic
- Top winners were presented to K-12 students
- Gift baskets were presented to winning art students
- Awards were presented to AuMHC Board Members for their service and commitment
- Bryan Gannon, Teri Karjala
- Aurora Public Schools Superintendent Rico Munn recognized AuMHC and students
- Gracie and mom, April Besanceney
- Board Member Lynn Donaldson and Board President Harrison Cochran
- Events/Fundraising Chair Mark Stephenson announced the winners
- The Patacsil Family: Aaron, Aura, Athena, Aajala
- Olivia of Belleview Elementary wins first place (
- Sophie of High Plains Elementary wins 2nd place (K-3rd grade)
- Sophie accepts gift bag from Mark Stephenson and Steve Mazzini
- Board Members: Arapahoe Sheriff Dave Walcher and Rachel Nuñez
- The theme for the annual AuMHC art show was: “What does Kindness mean to you”
- Dave and Lisa Joslyn with Ellie and Sophie
- Emma of Fox Ridge Middle School won 2nd Place
- Elise of High Plains Elementary won the CEO’s Choice Award (K-3rd grade)
- Lilly was among the CEO’s Choice Winners
- Isabella of Hinkley High won 1st Place (9-12th grade)
- Samantha of St. Piux X won 1st Place (7-8th grade)
- Harrison Cochran with AuMHC CEO Dr. Kelly Phillips-Henry
- Liam of High Plains Elementary won the CEO’s Choice Award (4-6th grade)
- Mackenzie of High Plains Elementary won the CEO’s Choice Award (4-6th grade)
- Trinity of Aurora Central High won CEO’s Choice Award (9th-12th grade)
- Kelly Phillips-Henry oversaw her first kids art event as AuMHC CEO
- Terry Thomas with daughter, Kaylee of Murphy Creek (K-12)
- Cindy Bohl, Harrison Cochran
- Parents gathered after the event to honor their children and teachers
- Teacher Recognition Winners: Brooks Hart, Kristen Ergenbright, Georgene Gallington, James Dykstra
- AuMHC CEO Kelly Phillips-Henry thanked parents, kids and sponsors
- Teacher Recognition winner Kristen Ergenbright of St. Pius X
- James and Brooks Hart, Teacher Recognition winner
- Karley and Charleen Hendersen, Sarah Plybon