EHS sophomore named ‘Spirit of Community’ state finalist
Reibe: Landes is a ‘wonderful young lady’
El Dorado High School sophomore Emmaline Landes, who raised thousands of dollars for local charities, was named a distinguished finalist for the 2018 Prudential Spirit of Community award.
Landes said she began selling her “Heartworks,” to raise money for ALS research after her grandmother, Peggy Rahaim, died from complications with the disease.
“I paint small, five-byfive, sometimes bigger hearts. I sell them and I donate the money to ALS Foundation in honor of my Meme, who died,” she said. “It made me so sad and I wanted to help because … it was really hard for me and I don’t want other people to have to deal with that. I’ve always painted. I’ve done it since I was really little and I take art classes at the high school … In the past and before this, I’ve painted. I’ve done art shows and my artwork was sold in there, so I figured I could sell them and use them to donate money.”
Landes’ mother, Shelley, said that the artist’s grandmother was always proud of her art and painting helps her grieve her Mimi’s death.
“I recently donated for my friend Brooks Garrison who has epilepsy, so he got to choose where I donated to,” the distinguished finalist said.
Her mother said, “He picked the Agape House and the FedEx House … Heartworks is perfect because it truly comes from her heart. She has a heart for doing good for others.
Her art is now used to raise funds for the Union County Animal Protection Society, HOPE Landing and Habit for Humanity. According to a press release, she’s donated or sold over 80 paintings since last month.
AP Language teacher Sarah McKibben encouraged her to apply for the award, which involved writing several paragraphs, Landes said.
In one paragraph, she wrote, “I did not want to apply for this award because I created Heartworks to assist the work of many in our community serving others, not draw attention to myself. After much encouragement from others and visiting with board members of some of the agencies I have worked with, I realized I had put a lot of love into my work and I should be very proud and thankful for the opportunity.”
“The high school picks one person to be their honoree that goes on to the state, so then she found out February 2 that she was distinguished finalist at the state level,” her mother said.
Landes said that she didn’t know she was named a distinguished finalist until she received a vague text from her mom.
“They pulled me out of art class and the whole art class went in there with me. We went in front of the school board and they presented it to me,” she said.
Landes was presented with a certificate, a letter from President Donald Trump and a bronze medallion.
“Heartworks is such an appropriate name for Landes’ platform of giving back,” EHS principal Alva Reibe said. “Her artwork comes from her heart and she uses the profit from her art sales for concerns close to her heart. She is an excellent student academically, a talented artist, a spirited cheerleader and has outstanding character. She is truly a wonderful, wonderful young lady.”
Landes is a member of the EHS Beta Club, National Honor Society, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, varsity cheerleading team, Student Council and sophomore steering committee. She’s also involved in the Lion Oil Community Advisory Board, Arkansas Student Leadership Initiative, First Presbyterian Church youth group, Superior Tumble & Cheer and Camp Fire.
In her spare time, she said that she likes to paint, take art classes at
Brittany Williams may be reached at 870-8626611 or bwilliams@eldoradonews.com. Follow her on Twitter and like her on Facebook @ BWilliamsEDNT for updates on Union County school news. the South Arkansas Arts Center and watch movies on Netflix.
To learn more about Heartworks and to donate, contact Landes at emmaline.rahaim20@esd15.org.