Sierra Madre Local Children Honored in the Read, Discover, Connect Art & Essay Contest

106 local students in grades K-8, entered the library’s Read, Discover, Connect @ the Sierra Madre Public Library art and essay contest. Talented winners attended a ceremony at the Library on Thursday, March 26 at 4:00 p.m. Mayor John Harabedian, Mayor Pro Tem John Cappocia, Library Trustee Chair Barry Ziff, and Library Trustee Shannon King were on hand to congratulate the students. The winning drawings and essays are posted in the Library/s children’s room.

Read, Discover, Connect was the theme of this year’s art & essay contest. Children in grades K – 2 created drawings showing how they Read, Discover, Connect. @ the Library. Students in grades 3-8 wrote an essay on why or how they Read, Discover, Connect. @ the Library.

This event was organized by Trustees Glenn Putnam and Barry Ziff. It was sponsored by Sierra Madre Civic Club, Sierra Madre Community Foundation, Sierra Madre Friends of the Library, Sierra Madre Kiwanis Club, Sierra Madre Rotary Club, and the Spero Foundation.

1st place winners received $50.00 and 2nd place winners received $35.00.

Kindergarten

1st – Mary Bingham – Gooden School
2nd – Sophie Ting – Gooden School

First grade

1st – Ana Besoli – Sierra Madre Elementary School
2nd – Alyssa Galindo – St. Rita’s School

Second grade

1st – Mason Matsuo – Gooden School
2nd – Chloe Tubbs – Sierra Madre Elementary School

Third grade

2nd – Mikayla Hsieh – Gooden School

Fourth grade

1st – Aria Bayrakdarian – Excellence in Education Academy
2nd – Rachel Besoli – Sierra Madre Elementary School

Fifth grade

1st – Jason Boutros – Gooden School
2nd – Matthew Shepherd – Gooden School

Sixth grade

1st – Hadley Damir – Gooden School
2nd – Grace Elia – Gooden School
2nd – Claire Senft – Foothills Middle School

Seventh grade

1st – Julia Boberg – Gooden School
2nd – Samuel Johnson-Lacoss – Gooden School

Eighth grade

1st – Lauren Anastasia – Gooden School
2nd – Maxwell Horvath – Gooden School
Quotes from the winning essays:
“I think the library is the best thing that happened to the world, other than bacon”. Grace Elia

“Our library has wonderful books!” Rachel Besoli

“…even with all the high tech gadgets we have in our world today, the Sierra Madre Library is still the best place to connect with my imagination, my friends, and my community.” Jason Boutros

“One of my favorite things about the library is the digital storyboard. It brought history to life in a[n] entertaining and interactive way.” Lauren Anastasia

“Everyone should have a chance to go to the Sierra Madre Library.” Mikayla Hsieh

“May we always have libraries.” Samuel Johnson-Lacoss