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Legion poster entry advances to nationals

BY VOICE STAFF A.K. Wigg student Zachary McIntire is over the moon.
  BY VOICE STAFF

A.K. Wigg student Zachary McIntire is over the moon.

The Grade 4 artist was the only student from the school to create an entry for the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Poster Contest, in which he placed first at the local level in the Junior category.

From the branch level, his poster advanced the Royal Canadian Legion Ontario Provincial Command Competition, where he took first place honours in the Junior category.

Zachary McIntire's winning entry. VOICE PHOTO

McIntire said he was encouraged to enter the contest by his resource teacher, Lisa Fucile. He also added that he wasn’t expecting to win at the provincial level—it was a “nice surprise.”

Fucile said she encouraged McIntire to submit an entry because, “His artistic level is way beyond his grade level, especially the way he plans his use of colour and imagination to create his pieces. In my 31 years of teaching, I have never seen a student at his age with this kind of skill.”

Because of these qualities, Fucile “knew he would win.”

Laughing, McIntire said he likes to create “big art,” hence the reason his poster was a bit bigger than the rest of the entries.

For the nine year old, he believes that, “Remembrance Day is way to remember those who fought in the war to keep Canada a nice place and our freedom.”

One of McIntire’s favourite themes to draw is one of military elements, hence the capturing of his interest in the Remembrance Day competition.

His detailed winning piece took some 50 hours to create with fine-tipped markers.

McIntire said his family was proud of him. They were “really surprised,” especially at the provincial level placing and are “extremely supportive” of his artistic endeavours.

Fucile describes Zachary’s mom as being “extremely artistic.” Fucile has been working with McIntire since he started junior kindergarten and has seen and encouraged his artistic ability.

Fucile says McIntire’s art is an effective means of communication for him, and winning a contest such as this has given him a sense of increased confidence. Fucile is always on the lookout for other art-related contests to “keep him busy.”

“I am proud of Zachary, he has such creativity and he’s passionate about art, and it was displayed through his poster that was one of significant meaning in a commemorative way,” she said. “His advancement to the national competition signifies he represents the Wildcats well and has made us proud. I hope he continues his to work on his skill.”

McIntire was presented his provincial accolades the second week in December by Royal Canadian Legion Branch 613 Director Jacqueline Schwenker.

“When I went into the classroom to present Zachary with his certificates and prize, the teacher and principal were emotional.”

Schwenker said the Branch was “shocked” that McIntire, plus two other students, placed at the provincial level. Cole Tresham placed second in the Junior category and Evan Genning placed third in the Intermediate level.

Schwenker is hopeful these advancements by local students will inspire more area students to participate in the organization’s future poster, poetry, essay and public speaking contests.

Initial judging takes place at the community level by volunteers at local Legion branches, and the winning entries progress to judging at the provincial level. The winning entries at this level are forwarded to Ottawa, where they are judged, and the national winners declared. The names and work of all the national winners are published in a booklet.

The poster contest has two divisions—colour, and black and white. The first place entries for the four categories from each division are displayed at the Canadian War Museum from June to May of the following year. The entries winning second place and those receiving honorable mentions are displayed in the foyer of Parliament buildings during the annual Remembrance period in November.

 

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