MANSFIELD, Ohio—Fourteen Richland County third graders were recognized Friday as winners of the 22nd Annual Richland County Third Grade Coloring Contest. The contest was sponsored by Richland Newhope as part of Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March.
This year’s statewide Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month theme is “Can Do! Like You.”
All Richland County schools with third grade classes were invited to participate in the contest. Participants this year were asked to color a picture featuring a group of young musicians, one of whom uses a wheelchair. Newhope received 594 entries from 14 schools. One winner was chosen from each school.
Sherry Morrison, an artist and employee at Element of Art Studio/Gallery, assisted with the selection of this year’s winners.
“We are so pleased that many of our Richland County elementary schools participate in this annual contest,” said Richland Newhope Community Relations Director Jane Imbody. “It gives us an opportunity to reach young people with our awareness message and to foster long-term acceptance and full integration of individuals with disabilities in our communities.”
This year’s coloring contest winners were Madison Paxton, Auburn Elementary; Sean Bradbury, Central Elementary; Clete Rogers, Crestview Elementary; Aleigha Thauvette, Dowds Elementary; Hannah Ball, Eastview Elementary; Paige Sharp, Foundation Academy; Marissa Stallings, Madison South Elementary; Talia Byrom, Mansfield Christian School; Alayna Wynn, Mifflin Elementary; Laura Fogle Swanigan, Prospect Elementary; Kimberly Biglen, Sacred Heart School; Karl Etzel, Spanish Immersion School; Mikey Seveigny, St. Peter’s Elementary; and Quin DeBolt, Woodland Elementary.
The winners, their parents, teacher, principal, and superintendent were invited to a pizza party Friday at Newhope’s Early Childhood Center. The guest speaker for the event was Ms. Wheelchair Ohio 2015 Jasmine Spradley.
Spradley, a resident of Piqua in Miami County, was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Ohio two weeks ago. “I was surprised,” she said. “I didn’t think I would win.”
She is currently studying psychology at Wright State University. She is slated to graduate in May and hopes to obtain a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling. She would someday like to counsel families and couples.
She said she’s looking forward to July when she will compete in the Ms. Wheelchair USA competition.
Each of the winners had the opportunity to get their picture taken with Spradley during Friday’s event. They could also participate in simulated disability activities. For example, one activity allowed students to test their fine motor skills by trying to button up a shirt or put together a puzzle with gloves on.
Sherry Minnig of Richland Newhope showed students how to use adapted equipment, which helps make different tasks, like powering on appliances, easier.
DeBolt said he enjoyed participating in the food activity, which showed students how the texture of foods can be changed–like adding thickener to grape juice–to meet individual needs. Students were able to sample the different foods.
In 2014, Richland Newhope (Richland County Board of Developmental Disabilities) supported more than 1,800 individuals through early intervention, preschool, adult, residential, therapy, transportation and other family support programs.
