Treasurer Steven Grossman, Chair of the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), and Jack McCarthy, MSBA Executive Director, today hosted an award ceremony at the Massachusetts State House to honor the winners of the 2013 “My Ideal School” contest.
“We were delighted to receive thousands of submissions for the My Ideal School contest and were deeply impressed by the creativity and enthusiasm of students from across the Commonwealth,” said Treasurer Grossman. “This contest is a great opportunity for us to engage schoolchildren because it offers them the chance to demonstrate their ideas and imagination in a thoughtful and artistic way.”
The contest was open to 1st grade students and was designed to promote a discussion between students and teachers as to how thoughtful design and construction of schools in Massachusetts supports student learning. Students were asked to create images of what their ideal school would look like and to describe three things they love about their school.
Twelve regional winners were chosen from among over 2,500 entries into this year’s contest. Each winner received an award donated by Sovereign Bank, which sponsored the contest. One lucky grand prize winner, Gianna DeMello of Joseph C. Chamberlain School in Taunton, will have her “My Ideal School” contest picture featured on the cover of the MSBA’s upcoming Annual Report. A complete list of winners is below.
“Treasurer Grossman and I are delighted to celebrate the work of these talented students,” said Executive Director McCarthy. “I congratulate all of the winners and encourage them to continue to help us understand how we can improve school facilities across the Commonwealth.”
The MSBA partners with Massachusetts communities to support the design and construction of educationally-appropriate, flexible, sustainable and cost-effective public school facilities. Since its 2004 inception, the Authority has made over $9.7 billion in reimbursements for school capital improvement projects. MSBA reimbursements have saved districts over $2.9 billion in avoided local interest costs and have provided much needed cash flow to communities.
2013 MSBA My Ideal School Contest Winners |
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Student | School | City/Town |
Nicholas Blanchette | Francis T. Bresnahan School | Newburyport |
Gianna DeMello | Joseph C. Chamberlain Elementary School | Taunton |
Eftalia Economou | Nelson Place School | Worcester |
Gabriela Kenaan | Joseph C. Chamberlain Elementary School | Taunton |
Mazie Loayza | South Elementary School | Stoughton |
Yasmine Machkour | Beebe School | Malden |
Anna Mateo | East Somerville Community School | Somerville |
Ema Morgovsky | Brophy Elementary School | Framingham |
Hector Ramos | Paul Revere Innovation School | Revere |
Sean Rodgers | Woodland Elementary School | Southwick |
Sienna Van Buren | Center School | Hopkinton |
Esha Zahid | John C. Crosby Elementary School | Pittsfield |