Third-grade student Dustin Sanders of Highland Hills Elementary was selected as one of 13 winners in a state-wide annual calendar art contest sponsored by Oregon Agriculture in the Classroom (AITC).
Dustin’s artwork was selected among 2,116 entries submitted to the contest showcasing Oregon’s diverse agricultural and natural resource commodities.
This year, artwork was submitted by students in kindergarten through sixth grade across the state in public, private, charter and homeschool education systems featuring Oregon agriculture and natural resources.
The entries depicted a wide variety of Oregon’s 220 agricultural commodities. Dustin’s artwork featured a watermelon and can be viewed on the July page of the calendar.
“I drew a watermelon because in Hermiston we are known for watermelons,” he said. “I also added included a sun because watermelon need sun and water to grow.”
Jessica Janson, AITC executive director, said the calendar is a great project for teachers and students.
“It gives teachers an opportunity to discuss the bounty and beauty of Oregon agriculture and incorporate art into their classrooms,” she said.
Each month in the calendar features one of the winning student’s art and each day of the year has a fact about agriculture.
The 13 students selected to be featured in the 2022-2023 calendar received a $50 award and certificate to commemorate the honor. The winning artwork is displayed at the Oregon State Fair which runs through Labor Day in Salem. Calendars are free to Oregon teachers, and can soon be ordered for just $4 on oregonaitc.org/shop.
