Roanoke Mayor Sherman Lea joined U.S. Cellular to announce the winners of its 12th annual Black History Month Art Competition with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southwest Virginia at a celebration at the club on March 8.
In January, club members created original pieces of artwork in recognition of influential African-Americans, including business people, athletes, historical figures and celebrities. The 10 finalists’ art was displayed in U.S. Cellular stores during the month of February, where the Roanoke, Salem, Christiansburg and Rocky Mount communities voted for their favorites.
The winning artists were awarded the following prizes:
- Tyler Turner, who received $500 for 1st Place for a portrait of Ray Charles, was also the first place winner last year and tied for 3rd Place the previous year! Tyler attends Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke.
- There was a tie for 2nd Place: Harley Oldham who attends Shawsville Middle School received $100 for a portrait of Michael Jackson. McKenna Ramsey who attends Christiansburg Middle School received $100 for a drawing of Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad
- Ryan Vazquez-Ayala who attends Christiansburg Middle School received $100 for a drawing of Martin Luther King JR
“It’s such a privilege to showcase the time, creativity and talent that came through in these kids’ artwork that was displayed in the stores during the month of February for Black History Month,” said Bertram Daniels, area sales manager at U.S. Cellular. “Celebrating with the Boys & Girls Club youth was a great way to honor our country’s diversity and commemorate African-American icons both past and present.”