ROCK HALL — Kent County Public Schools, in partnership with Crabtree, Rohrbaugh & Associates and with support from the Maryland Stadium Authority, recently celebrated the winners of the “Our School, Our Inspiration” student photo quest, an activity inviting students to explore Kent County and capture images that reflect the natural beauty and character of their community.
Students from across the county were encouraged to submit original photographs that represent Kent County’s landscapes and wildlife.
The activity was designed to inspire the wayfinding artwork within the new Kent County Middle School, allowing the building itself to tell a story of local life through student-created imagery.
According to a news release from the school system, the response was “remarkable” — with submissions showcasing stunning scenes of wildlife, waterways, scenic landscapes and sustainable elements unique to Kent County.
All winning photographs were submitted by students from H.H. Garnet Elementary School in Chestertown.
The winners are: first grader Henry Divilio, places category; fourth grader Thomas Divilio, animal category; and fifth grader Benjamin Boumiea, plant category.
To celebrate the achievement, students and their families were invited to a pizza party on March 9, when winners received certificates and gift cards recognizing their creativity and contribution to the new school’s design.
The recognition continued later in the evening at the Kent County Board of Education meeting, where Superintendent Mary McComas presented the awards to the students and commended them.
The winning photographs will be inspiration for artwork permanently captured on the walls of the new KCMS, “ensuring that student voices and local inspiration become a lasting part of the school’s identity,” according to the news release.
The initiative proved to be a tremendous success, highlighting community pride, student creativity and the powerful role young people can play in shaping the environments where they learn.
