Bourne High School student Madelyn Emme Rossignol was awarded First Place in the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest held by the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP for her clay sculpture titled “Nuclear Silence.” (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)
BOURNE — Superintendent Dr. Kerri Anne Quinlan-Zhou and Principal Dr. Lisa Maguire are proud to share that two Bourne High School students are being honored as contest winners for the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest held by the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP.
Both students have been invited to speak about their award-winning entries during a Martin Luther King Jr. Day ceremony hosted by the Cape Cod NAACP at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 19, at the First Baptist Church of Hyannis, located at 486 Main St.
Bourne High School junior Madelyn Emme Rossignol was awarded First Prize for her entry, a clay sculpture called “Nuclear Silence.” The sculpture portrays a mushroom cloud, representing the aftermath of a massive explosion. A detailed crown of smoke flows from a central column, the front of which bears a pair of human lips sealed shut with black tape.
The contest judges — two Cape Cod artists and Cape Cod Chapter NAACP executive board members — praised Madelyn’s artwork for its creativity and depth. Madelyn will receive a $300 award during the ceremony and share her inspiration behind the piece.
Bourne High School junior Melanie Kiana Luecke was awarded Second Prize for her entry, a watercolor painting titled, “The Weight of Silence.” The painting depicts a volunteer rescue worker, cradling the lifeless body of a baby girl that was pulled from the rubble of a war zone.
The judges commended Melanie’s thoughtfulness and artistic expression. Melanie will receive a $200 award at the ceremony and has also been invited to speak briefly about her work and the inspiration behind it.
The art contest results from a call for entries in the fall. Students from throughout Cape Cod were invited to submit entries.
This is the first year the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP has held this high school art contest as part of its annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemoration. The art contest was established to inspire the next generation to a deeper understanding of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s civil rights leadership and activism.
“Both students’ pieces address the MLK Jr quote, ‘Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter,'” said Rick Draper, a Cape Cod Chapter NAACP Executive Board member.
The Bourne Public Schools community extends its congratulations to both students on this outstanding achievement and their efforts to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy.
“Madelyn and Melanie’s dedication to this project is truly inspiring, and their awards are well-deserved,” Principal Dr. Lisa Maguire said. “At Bourne High School, we encourage our students to explore their creativity while reflecting on important social issues. Madelyn and Melanie have done exactly that, and we could not be prouder of their accomplishments. We are thrilled to see their talents recognized by the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP.”
“We are incredibly proud of Madelyn and Melanie for their artistic achievements and their ability to honor Dr. King’s legacy through their work,” Superintendent Dr. Quinlan-Zhou said. “Their talent and thoughtfulness reflect the values we strive to instill in all our students. This recognition from the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP underscores the importance of using creativity to inspire change and highlight the enduring relevance of Dr. King’s message.”
###
Bourne High School student Melanie Kiana Luecke was awarded Second Place in the inaugural Martin Luther King Jr. Art Contest held by the Cape Cod Chapter NAACP for her watercolor painting titled “The Weight of Silence.” (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)