The East Meadow School District recently recognized the winners of its inaugural Character Education Pillar Design Contest during the June 10 Board of Education meeting.
The contest invited students in grades K-12 to showcase their creativity by designing original artwork representing the Six Pillars of Character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring and Citizenship. The initiative was launched as part of the district’s Character Education Plan, which promotes kindness, empathy, inclusion and responsible citizenship throughout the school community.
To celebrate the students' achievements, the winning artwork was displayed on a projector throughout the Board of Education meeting, allowing attendees to view the creative designs that brought the district’s core character values to life. The district’s Director of Music and Art Dr. Kelly Nixon and the district’s Director of Guidance Dr. Gerilyn Smith, both co-chairs of the district’s Character Education Committee, also honored each of the winning participants with certificates of recognition in acknowledgment of their artistic talent and thoughtful contributions.
“Every artist here has contributed something valuable,” Dr. Smith said. “Your creativity has reminded us that character is not only taught through words, but also through expression, action and example.”
Open to all students across the district, the contest encouraged participants to use traditional or digital media to create original illustrations reflecting the Six Pillars of Character. The winning designs will be featured in district publications and promotional materials, helping to visually represent East Meadow’s ongoing commitment to character education.
“These students demonstrated exceptional creativity, thoughtful interpretation of the six pillars of character, and a commitment to representing the values that define our school community,” Dr. Nixon said.
Woodland Middle School student Yuvraj Bhalla and East Meadow High School student Giovanna Merrow were both recognized for their exceptional creativity, artistic excellence and powerful representation of the values embodied within the Six Pillars of Character. Additionally, East Meadow High School student Mashuf Kibria’s artwork was selected as the official visual representation of the East Meadow Six Pillars of Character.
The contest supports the district’s mission to “bring out the best in everyone” by reinforcing the importance of character development both inside and outside the classroom. Through academics, social-emotional learning, assemblies, arts programs and extracurricular activities, East Meadow continues to provide students with opportunities to develop the values that contribute to positive school communities and lifelong success.
The district congratulates all of the contest participants for sharing their creativity and helping to promote the character traits that serve as the foundation of the East Meadow school community.
