The Maryland Judiciary's Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) recently announced the winners of its 19th Annual Bookmark Art Contest. A total of 10 students from kindergarten through eighth grade were recognized as winners, with an additional 16 receiving honorable mentions. The awards ceremony took place in Annapolis, where Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, along with justices Brynja M. Booth and Angela M. Eaves, honored the students.
Chief Justice Fader expressed his admiration for the participants, stating, "Celebrating and congratulating these talented students on their award-winning artwork is always an honor." He emphasized the importance of the contest's theme: conflict resolution through peaceful means.
This year, MACRO received 3,408 entries from students across 36 public schools and three private schools in Maryland. The winning bookmarks came from Anne Arundel, Charles, Frederick, and Queen Anne’s counties.
During the event, Chief Justice Fader and his colleagues engaged with the young artists to discuss their creative messages promoting peace. Each bookmark depicted themes such as apologizing, respecting differences, talking things out, working together, listening, tolerance, diversity, inclusion, building peace, respecting one another, and consideration for others.
In the Grades K-2 category: Noah Edelen from Kent Island Elementary won first place; Elena Wang from Shipley’s Choice Elementary secured second; Aubree Cheslosky from Sudlersville Elementary took third place.
For Grades 3-5: Presley Mourlas of Grasonville Elementary achieved first place; Jake Franco Fava from Severna Park Elementary earned second; Jayden Achoh of Walter J. Mitchell Elementary and Lily Cottle of Shipley’s Choice Elementary tied for third.
In Grades 6-8: Kourtney Sigouin from Urbana Middle School was awarded first place; Kian Byrne also from Urbana Middle School took second; Helen Grant completed the top three positions at Urbana Middle School.