Students from Conley Hills Elementary in East Point Sweep GEMA Art Contest and Show How to Deal with a Storm

Cascade Patch would like to publicly congratulate 3 Conley Hills Elementary students who took 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place in the statewide art competition by GEMA’s Ready Georgia campaign.  Although winners of the 4th annual Ready Georgia Art, Essay and Video Contest hailed from across Georgia, the artistic talent at one East Point school proved tough to beat.

Art Winners
First Place: Phylisse Toliver, Conley Hills Elementary School, East Point
Second Place: Christopher Zepeda, Conley Hills Elementary School, East Point
Third Place: Sarai Gonzalez, Conley Hills Elementary School, East Point

Over the course of six weeks in September and October, nearly 200 third, fourth and fifth-graders across Georgia embraced the theme – “Georgia Kids are Super Ready” – and illustrated how they can be a superhero for their families during emergencies. In addition, they explained the importance of learning about emergency preparedness and provided ways that their peers can help teach others how to get ready at home and school.

Entries included personal and fiction stories, collages, figurative art and videos produced by Georgia classrooms. 

“We are always impressed to see how Georgia kids apply the information they’ve learned about emergency preparedness and translate it into creative art, essay and video masterpieces,” said Charley English, director of GEMA/Homeland Security.  “This year’s theme underscored an important message about the part we play in helping families and friends get ready for emergencies – and all of the participating students displayed great insight and quality work. It was a challenge to select only a few winners.” 

Additional Winners"

Essay Winners
First Place: Morgan Rehburg, Twin City Elementary School, Twin City
Second Place: Edith Kan, Allgood Elementary School, Stone Mountain
Third Place: Kate Sullivan, GW Carver Elementary School, Richmond Hill

Video Winner
“The Disaster Diverter” by Shannon Hustick’s class at Hannan Academy, Columbus

Families can visit ready.ga.gov for more information about emergency preparedness in Georgia or tips on creative ways to involve kids in readiness efforts.