The University of Missouri-Rolla is pleased to announce the names of the elementary and middle school students who took top awards in its 2007 Leila Thompson Flagg Art Contest. Ninety entries, from nine schools throughout the state, were judged in the contest and were on display during February in the Havener Center lobby.

The contest, sponsored by the UMR African American Cultural Recognition Committee and the UMR College of Arts and Sciences, was open to students in grades 3 through 9 who were under the age of 16 as of Dec. 31, 2006.

The art contest is an annual event that honors Leila Thompson Flagg as the first African American to graduate from UMR, formerly the Missouri School of Mines. The contest allows students to share their unique artistic expressions resulting from their understanding of the meaning of the theme, “Appreciating Differences as We Embrace Diversity.”

Nine winners from five schools were recognized at the Association of Black Students “Dinner to Jazz” banquet, held on Feb. 24. Prizes were $50 for first place; $35 for second place and $25 third place.

Top winners (by category) include:

Grades 3-4

• Jibri Ross of St. Louis, a fourth-grade student at Gateway Elementary School, received first place. Her teacher is Debbie Stockhausen.
• Ruth Brindel of St. Louis, a fourth-grade student at Shaw Visual & Performing Arts Community Education Center, received second place. Her teacher is Dina DeMasi.
• Scout Sale of St. Louis, a fourth-grade student at Shaw Visual & Performing Arts Community Education Center, received third place. Her teacher is Dina DeMasi.

Grades 5-7

• Samantha Hedrick of Edgar Springs, a fifth-grade student at Phelps County R-3 School, received first place. Her teacher is Jan Rauzi.
• Michon Walson of St. Louis, a fifth-grade student at Shaw Visual & Performing Arts Community Education Center, received second place. Walson’s teacher is Dina DeMasi.
• Chonita Brackett of St. Louis, a fifth-grade student at Gateway Elementary School, received third place. Her teacher is Debbie Stockhausen.

Grades 8-9

• Kristen Holland of Edgar Springs, an eighth-grade student at Phelps County R-3 School, received first place. Her teacher is Jan Rauzi.
• Lydia Hall of Rolla, an eighth-grade student at Rolla Junior High School, received second place. Her teacher is Mark Rolufs.
• Chris Turner of Portageville, a ninth-grade student at Portageville High School, received third place. His teacher is Heather Warren.