• By April Bowman
• Posted Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Operation Military Kids Contest Results

North Carolina 4-H’s Operation: Military Kids (OMK) program was proud and excited to hold the Third Annual NC OMK Visual Arts Contest. The contest was opened to all youth (military and non-military). The age categories were 5-8 years old, 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-18 years old. The contest was designed to introduce youth to photography and the arts as a part of the 4-H Expressive Arts Curriculum. Youth utilized their photography skills and their artistry but most importantly what freedom, patriotism and support for our troops meant to them.

Selected photographs and artwork will be displayed during the week of the 2010 North Carolina 4-H Congress, other events and appropriate venues.

There were three themes in which entries could be submitted:

• Celebrating Military Careers
• Honoring Our Heroes
• Growing Up in America

Participants could be awarded one of the following awards:

• Blue, Red, White and Yellow quality awards will be presented to entries in each age division in each category based on the score sheet criteria.
• Best of Show awards will be presented to one photo in each division. Selection criteria will include lighting, composition, artistic quality, and impact.
• One Grand Champion award will be presented from all winning entries.

**The North Carolina Operation: Military Kids Visual contest is open to all youth and will include competitive age categories of 9-10 years old, 11-12 years old, 13-15 years old, and 16-18 years old. Youth aged 5-8 years old may submit entries for evaluation but these entries will be evaluated in a non-competitive format. Prizes will be awarded to all age groups.

Forsyth County Contest Results

Hope Arrowood

• Grand Champion – NC OMK Visual Arts Contest for “Honoring Our Heroes” entitled Firmly Planted in Freedom
• Best of Show – for 11-12 year old category entitled Firmly Planted in Freedom
• Blue Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (11-12 year old) entitled Firmly Planted in Freedom
• Blue Ribbon Award – “Celebrating Military Careers” (11-12 year old) entitled Purple Hearts
• White Ribbon Award – “Growing Up in America” (11-12 year old) entitled The Freedom to Fly

Alex Arrowood

• Best of Show – for 9-10 year old category entitled All-American Kids
• Blue Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (9-10 year old) entitled Until You’re Home
• Blue Ribbon Award – “Growing Up in America” (9-10 year old) entitled All-American Kids

Lynae Bowman

• Patriotic Participation Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (5-8 year old) Remembering Pa
• Patriotic Participation Ribbon Award – “Growing Up in America” (5-8 year old) Pa’s Flag

Melanie Crews

• White Ribbon Award – “Growing Up in America” (9-10 year old) entitled Fountain Fun

Bailee Phagan

• Red Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (9-10 year old) entitled Victory at Last

Brandon Phagan

• Best of Show – for 13-15 year old category entitled Honoring WW II Veterans
• Blue Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (13-15year old) entitled Honoring WW II Veterans

Brian Phagan

• Red Ribbon Award – “Honoring Our Heroes” (13-15 year old) entitled Arlington – A Hero’s Final Resting Place

Brynna Phagan

• Patriotic Participation Ribbon Award - “Honoring Our Heroes” (5-8 year old) entitled Keeping on Their Toes

Grant Wise

• Blue Ribbon Award – “Growing Up in America” (11-12 year old) entitled Backyard Brigade