VVS student places in Utica Comets Art Contest

VERONA, N.Y. » Fourth-grade students at J. D. George Elementary were recently able to enjoy a pizza party, thanks to a classmate taking second place in the Utica Comets and Utica City FC 2019 Coloring Contest.

Amelia Lohr earned that prize, along with an iPad mini, by taking second place in the Utica Comets and Utica City FC 2019 Coloring Contest.

The Utica Comets mascot, Audie, came to visit and treat her class to a pizza party.

“I had a lot of fun coloring the picture,” Lohr said in a news release. “I worked really hard on it, and I’m excited that I won.”

Amelia’s art teacher, Kelly LaBuda, provided the coloring contest opportunity to her students.

“Amelia used her creativity and added her own spin to the coloring page,” she said in the release. “She’s ahead of her time - an amazing artist. I’m very proud of her.”

The contest is headed by the Save of the Day Foundation, which “supports organizations that focus on formal K-12 education programs that innovate and motivate children to stay in school, do well academically, and encourage higher education.” (saveoftheday.org)

Contest winners are selected by players from the Utica Comets and Utica City FC teams.

“We want to reach out to the kids in the community and reward them for their beautiful artwork,” said Samantha Bent

ley, Community Relations Coordinator for the Utica Comets, “Over 20 schools participate, and the players enjoy picking the winners and seeing the kids’ creativity and expression.”

Organizers said Amelia and her classmates had a great time with Audie, taking pictures, enjoying their pizza, and ending with a dance party

. “I would say for anyone who wants to try a competition, that you should,” said Lohr, “because you might be surprised at what happens!”

SUBMITTED PHOTO Amelia’s (center) class pose with Audie.

SUBMITTED PHOTO From left, Amelia Lohr, Audie, Miss LaBuda.