Freedom 250 and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) recently honored the Regional, People’s Choice, and National Winners of the American Heroes Student Art Contest during a special awards ceremony in Washington DC. The South Dakota America 250 Commission celebrates the winners of the Freedom 250 Student Art Contest. Judges for the contest selected one student each from elementary, middle, and high schools in each state. The artwork was judged on originality and an artist’s statement. All three winners from South Dakota traveled to the awards ceremony. They are: Roselle Grabitske of Pierre won the elementary school division with her artwork celebrating Louis Armstrong, his trumpet, and his contributions to American Jazz. Image courtesy of the American Heroes Student Art Contest. Jessa Van Zee of Platte won the middle school competition with “Walt Disney,” honoring Walt Disney’s contributions to American cinema. Image courtesy of the American Heroes Student Art Contest. Daniel Grabitske of Watertown won the high school division for his painting “The Defender of Little Roundtop,” honoring Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain. Image courtesy of the American Heroes Student Art Contest. The American Heroes Student Art Contest invited students across the nation to create original artwork celebrating the individuals, events, and ideals that have shaped America’s history. More than 1,000 student submissions were evaluated through multiple rounds of judging by artists, educators, historians, Freedom 250, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. ...read more read less