HAPPY World Teacher’s Day! Although the occasion falls on the fifth of this month, Marianas Variety concluded the judging of the annual “Draw Your Teacher” contest on Sept. 28 and created special prize packages for winners in time for the weekend.
Our contest organizers asked qualifying students to “show how much you appreciate your teacher.”
The contest was open to students in public and private schools from first to third grades. Marianas Variety selected one winner at each grade level. Students were judged on the following criteria: Interpretation of the theme; originality and artistic quality; visual elements; and overall impression.
This year’s winners are first grader Edison Liu from Agape Christian School, who drew a picture of teacher Alice Figueroa; second grader Jane Choi from Saipan International School, who drew a picture of her teacher, Pamela Walsh; and third grader Emily Kang from Saipan Community School, who drew a picture of teacher Lisa Eekhof.
Little Edison Liu was just happy to win, but added he’s not sure what to draw next year. However, he said he “really likes to draw.”
His teacher, Ms. Figuero, was surprised to be entered in the contest.
“I’m very happy and glad for Edison that at his young age he was able to draw [so well]. I’m very surprised because I didn’t know he can draw. I’m so happy for him,” she said.
Jane Choi says it “feels good” to win the contest and that she entered because Mrs. Walsh “is kind.”
When asked how long it took her to create her masterpiece, Choi only said, “It took me a long time.”
Mrs. Walsh likewise was surprised to be represented in the contest.
“I did not know she drew me,” Walsh said. “But [art teacher] Ms. McRoberts said, ‘I think this is you,’ so I was very happy to see it,” Walsh said with a laugh.
As for Emily Kang, there was no surprise for her, because she said she made it a goal to take back-to-back victory in the contest. She was also a winner in last year’s Draw Your Teacher contest.
“I feel great,” Kang said. “Last year I won first place and this year I wanted to do it again. If I do this contest, I will just choose my homeroom teacher because it’s my real teacher.”
All three winners—including their teachers—received a Docomo prize package, tumblers and lemon tea from MarPac, and insulated bags. Lollipops gave winners gift certificates and Marianas Variety gifted the winning students stationery. Their teachers got flowers.
