TOWSON, MD—Baltimore County Public Schools officials have announced the winners of its annual Black History Month writing contest, with students from 47 different elementary schools submitting some truly inspiring artwork.

The 2024 contest, which was coordinated by the BCPS Offices of English Language Arts and Social Studies, challenged students in grades kindergarten through 12 to write about an African American public figure in the arts. The students were tasked with highlighting African Americans in visual arts, performing arts, literature, fashion, film, music, architecture, culinary arts, and other forms of artistic expression. They also had to explain how the African American in the arts has inspired them and their future goals.

This year, the contest received over 115 entries from students across 47 different schools. From kindergarten through grade two, Temiloluwa Esther Adebayo from Winand Elementary School won first place in the individual categories, with Lily Rosenfeld from Riderwood Elementary School taking home first place in the grade three to five category.

Kaja Swan from Woodlawn High School won first place in the grade nine to 12 category, while Kyla Griffin from the Virtual Learning Program at Middle School took home the top prize in the grade six to eight category.

The Education Foundation of BCPS sponsored the 2024 contest and awarded $75 prizes to each winner, along with certificates of achievement for those who received honorable mention. The winning entries from all grade levels can be read on the BCPS blog.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Image via Pixabay