Yucaipa Canyon Middle School art students honored for award-winning posters

Canyon Middle School students were recoginized for their achievements in the 2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest. Group Photo: Garrett Dycus, lower left, Danielle Sanchez, Canyon Middle School Principal, Jim Stolze, top left, and Canyon Middle School Art Teacher, Mike Bennett.
Bob Otto / Staff Photographer

YUCAIPA - Melissa Langeland made a special trip form Sacramento to Yucaipa to present special awards to four Canyon Middle School students at the Yucaipa-Calimesa Joint Unified School District school board meeting on Tuesday.

The Boating Education Analyst was on hand to present Danielle Sanchez with an award and prizes for her winning poster in the 8th grade division of the "2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways Poster Contest." The contest is sponsored by the California Department of Boating and Waterways and students in Kindergarten through 8th grades from throughout the state participated.

Danielle took first place in the 8th grade division with her poster entitled, "The Evolution of Pollution." The poster depicts how - if left unchecked - pollution of our oceans affects marine life.

"We received over 3,000 posters from across California," said Langeland. "It was narrowed down to 10 finalists per grade level based on artistic merit, and the message it conveys about boating and aquatics. This is an incredible feat she accomplished."

Danielle's reasoning for designing and creating her poster reveals a maturity beyond that of a 14-year-old in understanding the destructive affects man is capable of on his environment.

"I wanted to show how we hurt our environment and I don't like the abuse it causes animals, birds, and marine life," Danielle said. "I want my art to educate people and make them realize what they are doing so that they will stop."

Danielle's poster is now on display at the state capitol in Sacramento and her poster appears on the 2009 Safe and Wise Water Ways calender as the lead art for the month of February. Along with a variety of prizes, Danielle received a $200 savings bond.

But Sanchez wasn't the only Canyon Middle School student to be recognized. Drew Flowers, Garrett Dycus, and Nehad Mahroum were all finalists in the contest.

"Danielle is quite artistic and a self driven artist who does a lot of work on her own," said Canyon Middle School art teacher, Mike Bennett. "The other three are very talented and artistic too."