The artwork of a Poplar Bluff High School senior is being displayed for a year at the Green Bay Packers stadium, and the Art Department has been awarded $5,000 as the result of a recent national contest.
Kaylee-Ann Merrick and her family were flown to Lambeau Field in Wisconsin for an unveiling of the art last month during which the student got to meet Packers CEO Mark Murphy and tour the stadium.
“My artwork shows a football player catching the Lombardi Trophy, but this isn’t just any football player, it’s you,” wrote Merrick with her winning entry. “…For the next 100 seasons, the team may change or perhaps the rules may change, but one thing will remain consistent, and that is the dedication of the Packers fan base.”
Merrick was named the secondary grade level winner in the Packers Student Art Contest, which also included a junior high and college division. She learned about the contest themed ‘The Next 100 Seasons of Packers Football’ at the end of last school year via the organization’s official Instagram. She credits her art teacher, Meg Daniels, for the encouragement.
“I couldn’t have done it without you and your amazing teaching,” stated Merrick in an email to Daniels over the summer. “You are truly an amazing teacher and your constant support has fueled me to keep trying and keep doing better.”
In return, Daniels was highly complimentary of Merrick’s personal drive. “This young lady is so deserving and it couldn’t have gone into better hands,” the teacher commented.
While it has yet to be determined how the grant money will best be utilized, Daniels said some possibilities include purchasing each student a set of paintbrushes; buying larger ticket items such as a new ceramic wheel, slab table, wedging table or pug mill; or bringing in successful guest artists to inspire creativity.
###
Cutline: Accompanied by (right to left) her brother Tyrus Merrick and father Eugene Barnes, PBHS student Kaylee Merrick meets Packers CEO Mark Murphy.