MONROE — The Greater Foundation of Women’s Club of Monroe (GFWC-Monroe) conducted its annual art competitions for school aged children. These competitions included: the Helen Farnsworth Mears Art Contest for 7th and 8th graders, and the Poetry Contest and Short Story contest for all grade levels. 

ART CONTEST

The art contest was created in 1927 by GFWC-WI to honor this renowned Oshkosh sculptor, Helen Farnsworth Mears (1872-1916). Her works are on display in the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Madison State Capitol, and other national and state collections. Governor Tony Evers proclaimed Dec. 21 as Helen Farnsworth Mears day in Wisconsin. GFWC-WI is proud to continue honoring her for 96th year. 

Monroe Middle school participated with 100’s of entries submitted in categories of 2D painting and drawing, and 3D sculpture. The judges for this local contest were Kathy King and Marilyn Rolfsmeyer.  The winners of the local contest went on to be judged at the district level where they competed with nine other communities. Two Monroe contestants won at the district and went on to be judged at the state level. Fiona Junk and Paizley Kundert, also won 3rd place at the state level. This is the first time in at least 15 years Monroe has had a winner at the state level. Fiona and Paizley’s art projects will be displayed at the Oshkosh Public Museum, home of Helen Farnsworth Mears, during the Museum’s summer art exhibit.  

2D- Painting and Drawing: 

1st place — Fiona Junk — Gilmore Girls Boots 

2nd place — Isabella Brown — Skull and Pumpkin 

3rd place- Taylor Jay — Yarn Painting 

Honorable Mention — Avah Albaugh — Kurt Cobain drawing 

Honorable Mention — Paizley Kundert — Apple Watercolor painting 

3D Sculptures: 

1st place — Fiona Junk — Dippin’ Dots Food Truck Sculpture 

2nd place — Addisyn Smith — Strawberry Cake with Sprinkles Clay Cake Slice 

3rd place — Kloe Jordan — Sprinkle Cake Clay Cake Slice 

Honorable Mention= Miiasha Kiselova — Amrit Clay Cake slice 

Honorable Mention — Paizley Kundert - Clay cow bell 

Winners at the District Level: 

1st place 2D Painting category:  Paizley Kundert — Apple Watercolor painting

1st place 3D Sculpture category: Fiona Junk — Dippin Dots Food Truck Sculpture

These two also won 3rd place in the State level competition. This is the first year we have had State level winners. We are so proud of all the children who entered.  A special thanks to art director Dr. Michelle Mars of Monroe Middle School. Her love for the arts and children surely shines through. 

Poetry and Short Story contest for grades 1-12

Every year the GFWC of Wisconsin conducts a Poetry and Short story contest for all children grades K-12. This year there were six schools participating and 161 entries. The 1st place local winners went on to be judged at the state conference. 

Two Monroe contestants won first place at the state level. Awards for the local winners was held at the regular local meeting and pictures taken for those who could attend. 

POETRY AND SHORT STORY CONTEST WINNERS

POETRY CATEGORY 1: KINDERGARDEN-2ND GRADES

1st:  Winter, by Gabriel Wilson 

2nd:  Christmas, by Rylyn Boone

3rd:  Christmas, by Avery Mansfield

HM:  Michael, by Michael Skelding

POETRY CATEGORY 2: 3RD -5TH GRADES

1st:  Arizona, by Jovi Steinmann

2nd:  Christmas Day, by Violet Hirsch

3rd:  I Hear My School Singing, by Reagan Boatman

HM:  Riding a Roaring Roller Coaster, by Clara Lucas

HM:  The Amazing Adventure, by Isabella Vazquez

POETRY CATEGORY 3: 6TH-8TH GRADES

1st:  Falcon by, Elizabeth Veeder

2nd:  Sun to Snow, by Althea Eckdhal

3rd:  My Furry Friend, by Evelyn Eckdhal

HM:  A Sibling’s Love for Each Other, by Miley Edler

POETRY CATEGORY 4: 7TH — 12TH GRADES

HM:  The Future? by Conner Eckdhal

SHORT STORY CATEGORY 1: K - 2nd GRADES

1st:  The Mystic Necklace, by Savannah Roesch

2nd:  The Boy Who Didn’t Want to Take the Trash Out, by Finnian Coplien

3rd:  Ninja Man, by Kai Boehme

HM:  The Girl Who Had Too Much Homework, by Liliana Gobeli

SHORT STORY CATEGORY 2: 3RD -5TH GRADES

1st:  Grow, Grow, Joy! by Violet Eckdhal

2nd:  Paper or Plastic, by Pearl Hillary

3rd:  A New Hobby, by Jacob DeMuth

HM:  Wolf Girl: Never Alone, by Madelyn Stietz

SHORT STORY CATEGORY 3: 6TH-8TH GRADES

1st:  Catastrophic Callie, by Elena Boss

2nd:  The Stone and It’s Power, by Mallory Pallesen

3rd:  The Holiday Extravaganza, by Braylin Cleary

The first-place winners of the Local Poetry & Short Story contest went on to be judged at the state level.  We are proud to announce that we have two first place winners from Monroe: 

1.  Short story in Category 1: “The Mystic Necklace” by Savannah Roesch

2.  Poetry in Category 1: “Winter” by Gabriel Wilson 

These will be judged at the National level in June.  Good luck to both of you. And a huge congratulations to all of you. We are extremely proud of all our contestants.  Below are pictures of the poetry and short story contestant winners.