Hundreds of Dedham Elementary Students Make Mark in Library Contest

All students in the four public elementary schools in Dedham recently celebrated their school libraries by participating in the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) bookmark contest. During library time students began designing bookmarks illustrating the theme, “I’m Wild about My School Library.”

Students were encouraged to design a bookmark showcasing their favorite library experience or what they felt was the best part of their library program. In the end, the bookmark contest was a huge success!

Over 100 students at Avery and Oakdale submitted bookmarks and about 40 students at Riverdale participated in the program. The top bookmarks from each division were submitted to the MSLA for judging. Some famous Massachusetts authors and artists, such as Brian Lies, Andrew Clements, and Jarrett Krosoczka judged the submitted bookmarks at the annual MSLA conference in March.

Nine students at had their bookmarks submitted for judging. For Division I (K - Grade 1) the following students' bookmarks were submitted: Luke Wilksinson, Gianna Murphy, and Elizabeth Reynolds. The following students' bookmarks were submitted for Division II (Grades 2-3): Troy Thornton, Olivia Hanley and Colleen Coughlin. Finally, the students’ bookmarks submitted for Division III (Grades 4-6) were: Weilin Berkey, Kathryn Hunter, and Jessica Shanahan.

From the Kathleen DeWinter’s bookmark was chosen to represent Division I. Three students’ bookmarks were submitted for Division II: Dagnie Meca, Eleanor Pearrow, and Emma O’Brien. Lastly, Francesca Gentile and Gina Pasciuto’s bookmarks were chosen as the top contenders for Division III.

, like Oakdale, chose to submit three bookmarks for each division. The students’ bookmarks chosen to represent Division I from Riverdale were: Joseph Mercuri, Molly Kelly, and Kayleigh Kennedy. Eleanor Antsy, Kaitlin Sullivan, and Lily Roche Van Oot had their bookmarks submitted to be judged for Division II. For Division III, the following students had their bookmarks submitted: Jacinda Sterlin, O.J. Pekacar and Zora Milojkovic.

At the , three students had their bookmarks submitted to MSLA. These three students were all fourth graders whose bookmarks were submitted as Division III contenders. These three participants were: Sydney Shair, Ryan Vassalotti, and Brandon Robinson.

Since it's conception in 2004, the Massachusetts School Library Association (MSLA) has held a bookmark contest for students to show how important their School Library is to them. Thousands of students across the state, in grades K - 12, design a "bookmark" with their school library in mind.

Of the hundreds of pieces the judges went over, Oakdale Elementary School fifth grade student, Weilin Berkey's work was chosen as Runner-up (Honorable Mention) in the Division III category. Weilin's masterful sketch of a tiger caught the eye of the judges and made her parents, teachers and classmates all very proud of her accomplishment.

The First Place and Honorable Mention winners from across the state have been invited to join their families, school librarians and administrators at the State House in Boston on April 30 to celebrate MSLA Legislative Day.

Information provided by Meghan Nels