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SPOTLIGHT

2024 I Love My County Art Contest Winners


Students in grades kindergarten through 8 were invited to share their artwork, expressing why they love their Kentucky county. The winners were recognized at the KACo Annual Conference and will be featured in the 2025 KACo Calendar. Congratulations to all of our winners! 


 

First place: Ariana Johnson

Grade: 7
County: Perry
School: Robinson Elementary School

Artist's statement: "I drew a horse to represent why I love Perry County because I enjoy watching them at the park when I hike. The horse park area of Perry County Park is a great place to watch horses and relax. They are so beautiful and are perfect to look at when you are stressed or feel nervous."


 

Second place: Layla Scoggins

Grade: 5
County: Graves
School: Central Elementary School

Artist's statement: "My county has been through a lot these past few years. The name of my painting is 'From the Rubble We Rise.' We may have lost our courthouse and other buildings in Mayfield, but our spirit is still strong."


 

Third place: Cam Hiter

Grade: 7
County: Washington
School: North Washington Elementary/Middle School

Artist's statement: "This picture is of the Washington County Judicial Center and our beautiful bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln that is located on Main Street in Springfield. I love that my county has such a rich history, and the statue represents that, as Abe’s parents were married here. Our judicial center also reminds me of the safety that I feel living in Washington County which is another reason that I love it so much, along with all of the government workers, as well as the first responders and law enforcement who work so hard to make sure that everyone follows the laws to keep our county safe."


 

Kindergarten: Everly Ferguson

County: Menifee
School: Menifee Central Elementary School

Artist's statement: "I love Menifee County because the hills and trees look like a storybook, and I get to play in the best story every day!"



1st grade: Vera Perry

County: Jefferson
School: Norton Commons Elementary School

Artist's statement: "I love the Louisville Zoo. This is a picture of my favorite tiger at the zoo. Louisville loves animals and so do I."



 

2nd grade: Cruz Melton

County: Muhlenberg
School: Greenville Elementary School

Artist's statement: "This is my drawing of Happy Malone. Happy is special because he is one of six Big Twigs located at Lake Malone State Park in Muhlenberg County, KY. Each Big Twig is unique, but Happy is my favorite because he likes to camp and roast marshmallows just like me!"



 

3rd grade: Magaly Hernandez

County: Marion
School: Glasscock Elementary School

Artist's statement: "I love the hot air balloons at Ham Days in Marion County."



 

4th grade: Kelsey Blue    

County: Hopkins
School: Jesse Stuart Elementary School

Artist's statement: "I love living in the farming state. The countryside, and old barns are beautiful. I love 'My Old Kentucky Home.'"



 

5th grade: Raylin Mischel

County: Daviess
School: Owensboro Catholic School 4-6 Campus

Artist's statement: "I love my county because it is very pretty and so much fun to be outside. I have painted the woods and trail by my house where my friends and I play all the time. I love where I live."



 

6th grade: Nyhla Johnson

County: Lincoln
School: Lincoln County Middle School

Artist's statement: "This is my home in the winter. I love my county because they keep us safe in bad weather."



 

7th grade: Noelle Michael

County: Hardin
School: TK Stone Middle School

Artist's statement: "My artwork illustrates the U.S. Gold Depository in Fort Knox. I created it using a combination of acrylic paint and paper quilling. I love my county because it is the home of Fort Knox and the Gold Depository, which represents strength and security."



 

8th grade: Mara Collins

County: Boone
School: Camp Ernst Middle School

Artist's statement: "My piece displayed elements of my county that I especially love, including the Florence Y'all's tower, a Ferris wheel, and the Big Bone Lick sign. I added the tower because when I see it, I know exactly where I am, I added the Ferris wheel as it represents the Boone County fair, and the Big Bone Lick sign because of the number of historic elements my county has to offer. Lastly, I wanted to implement an abundance of plant life to show just how environmentally atmospheric my county is."