St. Stephen School students win in SPCA contest

Students from Grand Island's St. Stephen School brought home five of 14 prizes awarded this year in the 117th annual School Contest for Humane Posters and Creative Writing held by The SPCA Serving Erie County.

Art teacher Sue Mann of St. Stephen School said the five medalists is probably the most winners the school has ever had in the competition.

The theme of the contest was "Operation PETS: Homes Wanted," with emphasis on animal adoption. The contest was open to all public, private and home school first- through eighth-graders in Erie County. All the winners received their awards during a reception May 26 at the SPCA's 25 Ensminger Road shelter in Tonawanda.

St. Stephen second-grader Mary Helen Strott took second place and first-grader Grace Misko took third place in the Division I (first and second grade) poster contest. Fourth-grader Patrick Curtin took first place and fourth-grader Gracie Tompkins took second place in Division II (third and fourth grade).

Third-grader Abigail Sonnenberg received the special Anderson/Lowe Award for artistic ability. Selection is based on exceptional creativity and originality.

Pictured from left are Tompkins, Sonnenberg, Strott (with her medal), Curtin and Misko.