Middle Schoolers Design Patriotic Bookmarks | Charlottesville News

Ten middle schoolers from Waynesboro, Virginia, are competing in a national contest to design commemorative bookmarks for America’s 250th birthday, blending creativity with constraint as they learn to pack powerful stories into the slim space of two playing cards. Their teacher, Terry Ward, challenged them to create original, hand-drawn art without AI or copied content, pushing them to develop unique styles and critical thinking. One standout design fused Marines with the Statue of Liberty’s torch turned into the ISS—showcasing sacrifice, innovation, and vision. While some nailed iconic symbols like the Washington Monument, others embraced abstract or personal takes on patriotism, including unexpected motifs like chicks and sports cars. Ward celebrated their diversity, encouraging students to express themselves freely—even if that meant opting out of the patriotic theme. The goal? Not just to win, but to inspire a love of art and reading through their tiny, mighty creations. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a30fbbc75ba468be