STUDENTS' WORKS TO BE DISPLAYED DURING
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOLS' CONFERENCE IN
BOSTON JUNE
30 – JULY 3
NORTHRIDGE, Calif.,
June 27, 2024 /PRNewswire/
-- Thinking Nation, a national 501c3 committed to cultivating
thoughtful citizens through the promotion of historical thinking in
social studies, today announced the student winners of its "What
does the future of democracy look like" art contest. The nationwide
art contest for middle and high school students was made possible
through a collaboration with the National Alliance for Public
Charter Schools (NAPCS), a leading national nonprofit
organization committed to advancing the charter school
movement.
Art contest participants were tasked with envisioning the future
of American Democracy through various mediums, including visual
art, poetry, and video that address the prompt. The winners
are:
- First place, $1,000: Kaydee Ramirez, Grade 11, Mountain View High
School (El Monte)
- Second place, $500: Aarna
Darsania, Grade 6, Camarillo Academy of Progressive Education
(Camarillo)
- Third place, $250: Marlie Belisle, Grade 8, Stella Middle Charter
Academy (Los Angeles)
In addition to receiving cash prizes, all three award-winning
artists will have their works displayed along with other top
submissions at an art show at NCSC24, the annual conference hosted
by NAPCS and the largest national convergence of educators,
advocates, and leaders within the charter community, from
June 30 through July 3 in
Boston.
First-place winner Kaydee Ramirez
said, "I created the art piece, 'Every single one of us,' because I
wanted to show that each and every U.S. citizen should know how
much power their voice holds and should use their voices to protect
their rights. Throughout my drawing process I thought, 'Our
differences make us this country, and we are all US citizens…why
are some voices being disregarded and forbidden from being heard?'
I think this is important and a reason why we should speak up over
and over until our political leaders finally listen."
Given NCSC24's historic backdrop of Boston, a city steeped in revolutionary
history, Thinking Nation partnered with NAPCS and Revolutionary
Spaces, stewards of Boston's Old
South Meeting House and Old State House that bring people together
to explore the American struggle to create and sustain a free
society, to feature at NCSC24 an historical exhibit on Boston and the evolution of freedom. Thousands
of K-12 leaders and educators will have the opportunity to
experience the exhibit and the talented students' artwork.
Thinking Nation Executive Director Zachary Coté said, "Thinking Nation exists to
empower students as thinking citizens and it was so inspiring to
see how students creatively showcased their deep thinking around
American Democracy. As many of us look out at the state of
democracy and rightfully worry, these students presented a future
democracy marked by youth engagement, a diverse citizenry, and a
reflective patriotism. As a collective, the artwork gives me
hope."
Thinking Nation will also showcase its groundbreaking social
studies curriculum at NCSC24 exhibit booth 729 in the Sponsor
Circle.
About Thinking Nation
Thinking Nation is a national
501c3 specializing in innovative social studies curriculum,
assessments, and professional development. Our mission is to
cultivate thinking citizens and confront the problems we see in
civic society, with a curriculum that empowers students to read
closely, think deeply, and write persuasively. We believe that
education is our greatest equalizer, and that every student,
regardless of zip code or socio-economic background, deserves
access to learning practices that reflect the diversity of
identities, histories, contributions, and experiences to support
enriched educational opportunity, equity, and success for all.
Thinking Nation currently serves 20,000 students in 12
states. For more information about Thinking Nation or to
become a part of this transformative initiative, please visit
thinkingnation.org.
Media Contacts
Laura
Wessells and Martha
Holler
ShinePR for Thinking Nation
ThinkingNation@shinepr.com
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SOURCE Thinking Nation