Southside ST.E.M. Seventh Grader Wins Virginia Lottery Thank a Teacher Art Contest

The seventh graders from Southside S.T.E.M. Academy at Campostella filed into the Schola Hall for a surprise presentation from leadership at the Virginia Lottery. Khalid Jones, executive director of the Virginia Lottery welcomed students and talked about the annual, “Thank a Teacher Art Contest” that the organization sponsors.

“We’re here celebrating today because someone in this room has won a prize from this school,” said Jones.

Three students from around the Commonwealth are selected out of the 500 submissions that the Virginia Lottery received. Jones claimed, “The middle school winner is here in this room.” Then the room fell silent and students and staff waited with anticipation.

Jones asked for a “drum roll please” and the students patted their hands on top of their legs. Then Jones announced, “The winner, a seventh grader from right here in Norfolk is (brief pause) Jaela Alexander.” The room erupted with cheers and applause.

Alexander stunned, clasped her hands over her mouth, stood up and came to the stage to be recognized.

Her artwork was enlarged so that everyone in attendance could see the details of her work which showcased a diversity of students with their own individual cloud filled with thoughts of future jobs from a judge to law enforcement, a chef and a disc jockey.

When asked if she thought she was going to win when she submitted, Alexander said, “I did my best and turned in my artwork.”

Senator Angelia Williams-Graves was in attendance and congratulated Alexander but spoke to her seventh-grade peers and encouraged them to “dream big and to reach for high goals.”

There were three categories for this annual contest, Alexander won on the middle school level, and there are winners from the high school and elementary level. Each of the three winners will receive a $200 gift card and each school will receive a $2,000 credit from The Supply Room for its art department.

“Jaela’s art will be used to thank thousands of public-school teachers throughout Virginia during this year’s Teacher Appreciation Week,” said Jones. Teachers and students are at the core of the Lottery’s role to support K-2 public education, and the Art Contest is a unique opportunity for us to recognize them by giving back to the winning schools’ art departments, thanks to our partners at The Supply Room.”

Alexander stood center stage for photos surrounded by her mom, two grandmothers, Principal James, her art teacher, Senator Williams-Graves, Khalid Jones and additional Virginia Lottery leadership.

Norfolk Public Schools received $34,504,422 in Lottery funds for K-12 public education last fiscal year. The Virginia Lottery exists because we raise money for K-12 public education in Virgina.”

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