Winners from Discovery Middle School in the Native American Heritage Month art contest are Shiyeon Ku, from left, second place; Victoria Lee, first; and Anna Mitchell, third. (CONTRIBUTED)

MADISON – Student artists from Discovery Middle School earned the top places in an art contest sponsored by Redstone Arsenal personnel.

Winners from Discovery in the art contest for the Native American Indian Heritage Month program are Victoria Lee, first place; Shiyeon Ku, second place; and Anna Mitchell, third place. Rosie’s International Services, Inc. sponsors the art contest.

Raquel Spiegel teaches art at Discovery.

In a notification letter to Spiegel, Sgt. First Class Jerry K. Nkansah with the U.S. Army said, “As a valued member of the Huntsville, Ala. community school system, your efforts to encourage our youth to explore individualism through arts are truly appreciated.”

“Through competitions, we have observed competitiveness to be a beneficial method to encourage uniqueness and talents,” Nkansah said. Arsenal officials wanted “to show our appreciation and acknowledge the endeavors of our youth and their dedication to expression.”

“The portraits we received (from your students) have further proven that children are putting forth efforts to explore innovative opportunities to express their place within our society,” Nkansah said.

Art instructors and their students and relatives were invited to an awards ceremony at the Bob Jones Auditorium in the Sparkman Center Complex on Redstone Arsenal in December. The audience included numerous soldiers and civilians who work on Redstone Arsenal.

The audience and the group from Discovery enjoyed cultural displays, food tasting and dance performances.

“We strive to promote diversity and inclusion within the community, and one way we achieve this goal is through Ethnic Observance Programs,” Nkansah said.