Chattanooga, Tenn. - Congratulations to Lookout Valley Middle High School students Sierra Holbrook (Senior), Bailey Reeves (Junior), and Kinsley Collins (eight-grader) for their outstanding achievement in the Horace Mann Insurance Calendar competition. These students have demonstrated remarkable talent and creativity, and we are proud of them for representing their school so well.
Sierra Holbrook is now one of the finalists in the national calendar competition. Sierra has already won a $500 Visa Gift card for advancing to the national finals and will win an additional $1,000 gift card if she wins the competition for her grade band. Bailey and Kinsley each received $250 Visa Gift cards for placing in the competition. Ms. Holland Johns, Lookout Valley Middle High Art Teacher, has won $1,500 in DonorChoose money for her classroom for her support of her students and will win an additional $5,000 in DonorChoose money if Sierra wins nationally. The Calendar was an end-of-year project completed by students without any particular theme but highlighting what they had learned throughout the year.
“I was excited when my mom told me. She burst into my room after getting the phone call, and it was a shock,” said Sierra. “I hope I win the finalist competition because I would love to win the $5,000 for Ms. Johns. She has always believed in me, and I want to help her buy more supplies to continue helping students.”
Sierra, Bailey, and Kinsley are excellent students who have found a space of relaxation and calm in their art. They all voiced appreciation for Ms. Johns and her dedication to getting to know her students personally to help them find their strengths in art.
“We are so grateful to have Ms. Johns and her art program at Lookout Valley,” said Ms. Lee Ann McBryar, LVMHS Principal. “She cares for her students and ensures they know she is always there for them. She encourages all students to find their creative strengths.”
Ms. Johns has been teaching at Lookout Valley for three years and has enjoyed teaching students that everyone is an artist regardless of how they use their creativity- design, drawing, dance, music, or other arts. Ms. Johns’s favorite teaching memory is receiving a Senior Jersey earlier this school year. At Lookout Valley, senior athletes give their jerseys to a teacher who has made a lasting impact during Homecoming Week. Ms. Johns received a jersey this year from a student she previously gave a most improved award. The student thanked Ms. Johns for believing in him and encouraging him.
“I want all students to know they can be successful,” said Ms. Johns. “Whether they pursue art or not, I love encouraging students and seeing them complete a project they didn’t think they could do. Art can give students a space to connect and find pride in their work they may not find in traditional subjects.”
We are incredibly proud of Ms. Johns, Sierra, Bailey, and Kinsley for their achievements and commitment to art. Congratulations to the team for their hard work and success!
Go vote for Sierra in the final competition!