The Maryland Judiciary's Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) held its 18th annual bookmark art contest on December 7, honoring nine student winners and recognizing 15 honorable mentions. The event focused on themes of conflict prevention and resolution through peaceful means. Students from kindergarten to eighth grade participated, with the winning entries announced during an awards ceremony hosted by MACRO.
Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader of the Supreme Court of Maryland, along with Justices Brynja M. Booth and Angela M. Eaves, attended the event to congratulate the students and their families. Chief Justice Fader expressed admiration for the students' creativity, stating, "It is inspiring to see the students’ thoughtfulness and creativity as they displayed the conflict resolution theme through their own eyes in this creative way to educate adults and children alike about peace-making and positive alternatives to violence."
This year, MACRO received 3,927 bookmark entries from a variety of educational institutions across Maryland, including public schools, private schools, and homeschools. Entries came from several counties: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Frederick, Prince George’s, and Queen Anne’s.
During the ceremony, Chief Justice Fader discussed with each student the messages conveyed in their artwork. Themes included resolving or preventing conflicts, apologizing, respecting differences, talking things out, solving problems together, listening, tolerance, diversity, inclusion, building peace, respecting one another, consideration for others, and alternatives to violence.
The contest awarded nine cash prizes totaling $675 for first through third place winners across three grade categories:
- First Place Winner: Aaliyah Carter from Shady Spring Elementary in Baltimore (Grade 2).
- Second Place Winner: Ruby Lamphier from Grasonville Elementary in Queen Anne’s (Grade 2).
- Third Place Winners: Rosalie May Levitt from Severna Park Elementary in Anne Arundel (Grade 1).
Additional winners included Julia A. Bass from Shipley’s Choice Elementary in Anne Arundel (Grade 5), Isabella Lee White from Kennard Elementary in Queen Anne’s (Grade 5), Jonathan Brooks from Vansville Elementary in Prince George’s (Grade 5), Hannah Liu from Urbana Middle School in Frederick (Grade 8), Anya Khirbat also from Urbana Middle School (Grade 8), and Ivy Bangerter from New Market Middle School in Frederick (Grade 6).
Honorable mentions were given to Theodore Hopkins at Vansville Elementary; Jordin Conston at Leith Walk Elementary/Middle; Easton Wolf at Kent Island Elementary; Bennett Reinke at Jacksonville Elementary; Xander Fairbanks at Kent Island Elementary; Isla Rose Beatty at Bayside Elementary; Molly Sweat also at Bayside Elementary; Olivia Toni Crovo at Jones Elementary; Valentina Gurubatham at Grasonville Elementary; Cole Vacek Matapeake at Matapeake Elementary; Abby Deremer at Stevensville Middle; Keenan Avery Burnette Lewis at Southern Middle; Tuan Nhat Huy Le at Benjamin D. Foulois Creative and Performing Arts School; Mackenzie Weirich at St. Joan of Arc School; Samantha Lessard also from Urbana Middle School.