Sound Beach Fifth Grader Wins 1st Place in Statewide Art Contest

Marianna Kalin, a fifth-grader at Laddie A. Decker Sound Beach School, won first place in the New York State Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officers’ (NYCOM) first-ever Magazine Cover contest, a statewide contest that asked fifth-graders to illustrate an example of “involvement in your local government.”

“Marianna displays a true talent and passion for art,” said Michelle Stylianou, an art teacher at Laddie A Decker. “Her understanding of the task at hand coupled with her ability to depict government involvement made it possible for Marianna to win the NYCOM Cover Contest. I am extremely proud of Marianna and am eager to see her continued success in the future.”

The contest, which opened in September 2013, was created to highlight the importance of local government and community involvement. Marianna’s design depicts a crowd of people gathered to vote in a local election, and was featured on the front cover of NYCOM’s spring edition. 

“A wonderful student and talented artist, Marianna is a well-rounded young individual deserving of such an honor,” said Dr. Marianne Higuera, Miller Place School District’s Superintendent. “On behalf of the Miller Place School District administration, faculty and community, we congratulate Marianna on her wonderful accomplishment.”