(Annapolis, MD – Oct. 15, 2008) Several elementary and middle school artists will be on hand to receive praise and prizes from Maryland Judiciary Chief Judge Robert M. Bell on Thursday, Oct. 16, during a reception beginning at 3:45 p.m. at the Maryland Court of Appeals, 361 Rowe Blvd., Annapolis. Chief Judge Bell will present the awards to students and their families.

The students who have been invited to attend the reception have received first-, second-, or third-place rankings in the third Conflict Resolution Day Student Bookmark Art Contest. More than 260 entries were received from children in kindergarten through eighth grade throughout the state. The art will be displayed at the Robert C. Murphy Courts of Appeal Building in Annapolis from Oct. 16 to Nov. 14.

The contest was sponsored by the Maryland Judiciary’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO). Prizes, ranging from $25 to $75, were awarded to first, second, and third place in two categories: kindergarten-fifth grade; and sixth-eighth grade. In addition, three to five entries may be selected to print as bookmarks for use in promoting conflict resolution across Maryland.

The media is invited to attend the reception. For more information, please contact Darrell Pressley, 410-260-1488, Darrell.Pressley@mdcourts.gov.

Student winners are:
Grades K - 5
1st Place (Tie)- Victoria Sherini, 5th grade, St. Mary’s Elementary School, Annapolis
AND
1st Place - Jordan Cerna, 1st grade, Meadow Hall Elementary School, Rockville

2nd Place - Dorrah Speis, 5th grade, home-schooled, Cumberland

3rd Place - Catherine Kinman, 4th grade, Potomac Heights Elementary School, Hagerstown

Grades 6-8
1st Place (Tie) - Amia Kitzmiller, 8th grade, Good Shepherd School, Baltimore
AND
1st Place (Tie) - Atticus Speis, 7th grade, home-schooled, Cumberland

2nd Place - Naomi Myers, 6th grade, Piccowaxen Middle School, Newberg

3rd Place - Patrick Wathen, 7th grade, Piccowaxen Middle School, Newberg

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