Student wins state art contest

Quinn Berkram, a fifth-grader in Amy Grigoletti’s class at Edgerton Elementary in Kalispell, is the 2019 statewide winner of the Montana Bringing Our Missing Children Home poster contest.

Poster artwork was judged on originality, creativity, use of color and materials, and reflection of the contest’s theme. Written poster applications were judged on the level of understanding of the subject, clarity and grammar.

Quinn’s poster reflects a scene of parents joyfully reuniting with their son under a sky bursting with fireworks. For her winning entry, Quinn received a $100 cash prize presented by the Montana Department of Justice’s Division of Criminal Investigation, along with a classroom pizza party. Quinn’s poster has been submitted to the national contest.

“Quinn’s colorful artwork is a moving reminder there are currently 71 missing school-aged children in Montana,” Attorney General Tim Fox said in a prepared statement. “It’s also a good prompt for each of us to talk to our children and grandchildren about their personal safety in a variety of situations, whether they’re at school, out in their communities, or online,” Fox added.

This is the 11th time Montana has participated in the annual Bringing Our Missing Children Home national poster contest, which allows Montana fifth-graders to compete at the state and national levels while giving their schools an opportunity to teach students about personal safety.