JMS eighth-grader wins Student Stride art contest

Taylor Grasseth, a spunky red-haired eighth-grader from Jemtegaard Middle School, was honored in front of her student peers and faculty during an assembly Friday morning.

Grasseth’s artwork, a colorful cat holding a banner, was chosen as the winner of the Washougal Schools Foundation art contest and will be the face of the organization’s signature event, The Student Stride for Education.

“It’s wonderful and I’m super psyched about it,” was Grasseth’s response when asked how she feels about her artwork being chosen as the logo for the event.

Gabrielle Iverson, art teacher at JMS, has used the contest as a way to introduce her advanced art class to the challenges of graphic design for the last three years. This the third time a student has been selected from her art classes as the winner of the contest.

The artwork from the contest is used as the logo for the WSF event in May.

The WSF Student Stride for Education is a completely self-funded event – registration fees cover all race day supplies. It is sponsored by local businesses, with sponsorship dollars going directly to the classroom helping teachers create learning experiences that wouldn’t otherwise be possible.

The WSF Student Stride for Education, an all-student fun run and 5K run/walk, will be held May 17, at Fishback Stadium at Washougal High School. This community event promotes fitness and learning. Runners will be timed and results posted.

“We are pleased to have Discovery Dental as the title sponsor of the event for the fifth year in a row,” said Stephanie Eakins, event coordinator. “To date, other sponsors include Glory Days, Waste Connections, Exterior Wood, Inc., Sodexo, Columbia Credit Union, and Parr Lumber. Together with the WSF, these local businesses are making a difference for our local schools and our kids.”

The Washougal Schools Foundation offers classroom grants in the fall and spring for projects up to $1,000 to teachers, staff, students, or community members. Mini-grants are offered throughout the year as well.

To participate, sponsor or volunteer in The Student Stride for Education, contact Eakins at (360) 513-0525 or stephanie.eakins@gmail.com.