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Black History art winners announced

1st place winner Sophia Croese and 3rd place winner Heavenly Michel pose with Boys & Girls Club CEO Carolyn Ashworth, UScellular store manager Josh Wilson and Mayor Barbara Volk. Second place winner Amerie Islas was unable to attend.

By Lightning Reports, Published: February 24, 2024

Mayor Barbara Volk joined UScellular associates on Thursday to announce the winners of the second annual Black History Month Art Contest at the Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County.

Public voting for the finalists’ art was available online and the three winning artists were awarded gift cards. Winners were:

• Sophia Croese, 1st place, $250
• Amerie Islas, 2nd place, $150
• Heavenly Michel, 3rd place, $100

“UScellular’s Black History Month Art Contest sparked a drive among our Members to learn about Black leaders in history,” said Jennifer Kelly, community and donor engagement officer for Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County. “Each youth participant researched their STEM icon before creating this artwork. Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County is proud to partner with UScellular to enhance our STEM program for our members. We have been fortunate to receive grant funding from UScellular for STEM as well as funding to innovate our organization's digital capabilities.”

Boys & Girls Club members were encouraged to create original artwork representing influential Black STEM icons. These included historical figures, world leaders, scientists and educators who have made vital contributions to the world of science, technology, engineering and math.

Representatives from the Boys & Girls Club chose 10 finalists based on creativity, quality, interpretation, clarity of theme and overall impression. Public voting for the finalists was made available online during the first two weeks of February and the finalists’ artwork was digitally displayed in UScellular’s Hendersonville store at 1900 Four Seasons Blvd.