Fifth graders worked to make a masterpiece of a cover for Springs School’s literary magazine, High Tide, which highlights students’ best writing and art from across grade levels. Each year the fifth-grade students submit artwork for a front and back cover for a contest in which judges choose their favorites.
The cover has to include the words “High Tide” and it had to have something that reminded the students of the community of Springs such as the beach, fish tackle, the woods, or other themes unique to the area.
This year’s judges were two teachers, Debra Murray, and Amanda Pond.
When Sailor Boyle, a fifth grader, was asked if she enjoyed designing a possible cover, she said, “Of course I did. It was amazing and I would love to do it again. It’s so fun and I think it’s a very good opportunity for everyone to have the chance to have their artwork on the magazine cover.”
Fifth graders took a survey that was used to collect data on reasons they either enjoyed or disliked participating in the contest. Eighteen students enjoyed submitting their drawing because they love to draw as a hobby; 22 students indicated that they enjoyed this experience because they had a chance for their artwork to be on the cover, 26 enjoyed it for both of the above reasons. Finally, 10 students said they liked making a cover for reasons that weren’t listed on the survey.
But some said they didn’t like it. Some because they don’t like art, felt the chance of their designs being chosen were too low, or weren’t happy with their end result.
The competition lasted throughout the month of March. Students had about four art periods to complete their cover. This year’s winner for the front cover was Maite Plaza, and the winner for the back cover was Noah Solomon.
By Isabelle Etzel and Lena Musser, Grade 6