The Berkeley County Clerk of Court’s Office hosted its annual Clerk Art Program at the County Courthouse. This unique endeavor highlights elementary, middle and high school students’ artistic talents, according to a statement on the event.
All courthouse staff vote on their favorite pieces, and each student receives a special certificate. Winners also receive a bag of art supplies, a ribbon and a gift card. The winning artwork will be displayed on the courthouse walls for a year.
“I wanted to encourage the students to continue and build their talents,” Leah Dupree, Berkeley County Clerk of Court, said in an announcement. I wanted to fill the large, bare courthouse walls and invest in our most precious resources, our children.”
Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson also spoke at the event.
“I love Clerk Dupree’s event because it brings children to the courthouse for something positive,” Wilson said. “Finding something so positive that children are interested in and passionate about and then showing them how proud we are of them can give a spark to their self-esteem. A healthy self-esteem can help keep them out of the justice system.”
Winners on the elementary level are Shiloh Reis from Cane Bay Elementary (first place), Scarlett Simpson from Moncks Corner Elementary (second place) and Raquel Guzman-Cruz from H.E. Bonner Elementary (third place).
Winners from the middle school level are place Emily Hodgen from Phillip Simmons Middle (first place), Jalayah Jones from Macedonia Middle (second place) and Raven Williams from Hanahan Middle School (third place).
High School winners are Rebecca Gehringer from Phillip Simmons High School (first place), Sunny Ayers from Goose Creek High School (second place) and Kamari Johnson from Cane Bay High School (third place).
