Discovery Park of America has announced the winners for the America 250 Student Creative Arts Contest, with selected artwork on display July 3-9 as part of the museum and heritage park’s “Celebrating 250 Years of Independence” programming. 

The contest invited students from across the region to create artwork inspired by the theme “What Does the American Dream Mean to You?” Finalists and their families attended the America 250 Student Creative Arts Contest Award Ceremony on Friday, July 3 at Discovery Park of America. 

Winners are listed below by grade division.

Best of Show Winner

“Lady Liberty’s Sunset” — Bridget Lin, 9th grade 

This honor is selected from all divisions and recognizes a work that demonstrated outstanding creativity, artistic excellence and interpretation of the contest theme. 

Kindergarten-3rd Grade Division Winners

First Place — “The New Hope” — Adler Hussey, 3rd grade

Second Place — “USA” — Corbin Grammar, 2nd grade

Third Place — “Keep America Clean” — Rhett Jones, kindergarten

4th-9th Grade Division Winners

First Place — “My America – What Freedom Means to Me” — Tucker Jones, 5th grade

Second Place — “Land of Opportunity” — Mackenzie Lovell, 9th grade

Third Place — “Native American Freedom” — K’dnce Hendrix, 9th grade

10th Grade Division Winners

11th Grade Division Winners

First Place — “The Land of the Free Because of the Brave” — Karli Jones, 11th grade

Second Place — “A Phoenix Rising from the Ashes” — Alexis Jacobs, 11th grade

Third Place — “America the Beautiful” — Lauraine Grooms, 11th grade

12th Grade-College Division Winners

First Place —  “The American Dream” — Cara Hawks, 12th grade

Second Place — “Equality” — Carmella Clark, 12th grade

Third Place — “The History of Chinese Immigrants” — Emily Brown, college

Art Teacher Recognition Award

Hilary Webb – Union City High School Art Teacher

View Student Art Contest Awards Ceremony photos here.

The student art display is presented in conjunction with Discovery Park’s Independence Day weekend celebration and America 250 programming, funded in part by a Tennessee America 250 Grant from the Tennessee Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial. Tech Plus, Walmart and Leaders Credit Union also sponsored this event.

Thanks to judges Abi Hellmich from The Art Room in Union City, Kimberly Shaw from Art & Soul of Tennessee, Carrie Cantrell of Leaders Credit Union and Dylan Schaefer, Discovery Park’s graphic designer, for reviewing contest submissions.

Discovery Park also thanks every student who participated in the contest and shared their creativity, talent and perspective through art.