New District 27 logo created by Washington-Monroe student Erin Barrick

[June 07, 2011]  A logo created by Erin Barrick, a third-grade student in Mrs. Zimmer's class at Washington-Monroe School, has been chosen as the new logo for Lincoln Elementary District 27.

Erin's drawing was the finalist in a contest involving the district's third- through eighth-grade students. Washington-Monroe Principal Ginger Yeazle made the announcement Thursday at the school's awards assembly.

Mrs. McAfee, District 27 art teacher, presented Erin with the winner's prize.

"Our district leadership team sorted through the students' drawings and submitted the top three finalists to staff members from the entire district," the principal explained. "They chose the winner from those three. Erin's logo design won over 50 percent of the votes.

"I am so proud that one of my students was the winning artist," Mrs. Yeazle continued, "and Erin should be very proud that her idea was chosen. It is quite an honor to win, but to receive more than half of the votes was great. This was a very exciting event for the school and for Erin."

The leadership team is made up of District 27 administrators, board members, parents, teachers and community members. One of the team's main missions this school year was family engagement, and that effort lead to more student involvement such as the art contest that created the new logo.

When asked if she was surprised to win the contest, Erin said she did not think about it until Mrs. Yeazle announced the winner was a third-grade student in Mrs. Zimmer's class.

"When she said the winner was from Mrs. Zimmer's class," Erin said, "I thought, 'Maybe it is me,' but I wasn't sure."

For her efforts and creative design, Erin received an Ultimate Art Studio (an assortment of drawing supplies), a set of paint brushes, sketching pencils, Color Switchers and a $10 gift certificate from Lincoln Theater. 

Erin's parents are John and Heather Barrick. 

[By MARLA BLAIR]