Winners named in kids calendar art contest

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Artwork by Katie Stephenson COURTESY Personnel Security Consultants, Inc.

Four are Cherokees from Maryetta School in Stillwell, Okla.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.–  Four Oklahoma children have been named as finalists in a Native American-owned security firm’s national art contest for its child abuse prevention and awareness 2012 calendar:

• Kristen Adair, Grade 5, Maryetta School

• Aubrey Brown, Grade 5, Maryetta School

• Katie Stephenson, Grade 4, Maryetta School

• Landon Unger, Grade 6, Maryetta School

The children from Stilwell were among 12 finalists from Alaska and New Mexico in the art contest sponsored by New Mexico-based security firm specialists Personnel Security Consultants, Inc (PSC).  Three judges, other New Mexico business owners, looked for originality, artistic ability and entries that best fit the theme “What my Heritage Means to me?”  PSC received 52 entries from children grades kindergarten through eighth. PSC held the contest to give children a voice and aid adults in identifying child abuse in Native communities.  The public is invited to view the finalists’ entries and vote for the calendar cover at PSC’s website www.pscprotectsyou.com until Oct. 5.

In 1990, Congress passed the Indian Child Protection and Violence Protection Act, which requires investigations for employees, contractors or volunteers who have contact with Indian children.  But despite the law, abuse, incest and other crimes against Indian children still prevail. Twenty American Indian/Alaska Native children out of every 1,000 are victims of abuse, compared with 10 white children, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“The judges said it was a difficult choice among so many great artists.  We’re glad that we’re aiding children, their parents and schools in identifying these issues that plague our community with this calendar,” said PSC President & CEO Michele Justice (Navajo).

The calendar, which will be released in November, is in preparation of weeklong child abuse protection training and other safety workshops PSC will sponsor for Native American Heritage Month Nov. 6-10, 2011. Proceeds of the workshops will go toward Native American child abuse prevention programs.  Children whose artwork is chosen for the calendar will be honored at a dinner in Albuquerque Nov. 7.

PSC is currently taking orders for the calendar.  To place an order by phone or email, please contact Jayme Bennett at jbennett@pscprotectsyou.com or 505-214-9117.



The Winners (Alphabetical by Last Name):

Kristen Adair, Grade 5, Maryetta School, Oklahoma

Elijah Baca, Grade 2, San Ildefonso, New Mexico

Antonia Becenti, Grade 8, Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle, New Mexico

Aubrey Brown, Grade 5, Maryetta School, Oklahoma

Eden Brown, Grade 6, Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle, New Mexico

Emmery Chapman, Grade 8, Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle, New Mexico

Jayne Hanna, Grade 7, Nuniwarmiut School, Alaska

Cecily Lopez, Grade 6, Dzilth-Na-O-Dith-Hle, New Mexico

Tse Whang Pena, Grade 2, San Ildefonso, New Mexico

Katie Stephenson, Grade 4, Maryetta School, Oklahoma

Deshawn Tenorio, Grade 8, San Felipe, New Mexico

Landon Unger, Grade 6, Maryetta School, Oklahoma