Aspiring artist wins state essay contests

A paper written by a second-grade student from Hillcrest Primary School is advancing to a national PTA writing contest.

Baelyan Putz won the grand prize in the Wisconsin State PTA Reflections program for his essay about being an artist.

Three other Hillcrest students, all in second grade, also placed in the contest. Aidan Burr won the outstanding interpretation honor for his essay about flying chipmunk gear. Kiana Hilliker took the first award of excellence with her essay about playing college softball. Max Bechard won the third award of excellence for writing about his dream of being a geologist.

The theme of “Believe, Dream, Inspire” was designed to encourage students to consider what they want to do with their lives.

For Putz, his dream of being an artist is eagerly encouraged by his father, according to the essay. He said his father inspires him and helps with art lessons when he is available.

“I believe I can get about $2 million just by selling paintings and creations,” Putz wrote in his essay.

Putz’s essay describes a variety of resources he uses to be creative, including a Nintendo Wii art program and a drawing pad on his mother’s Nook tablet. He wrote of hopefully being an inspiration for adult and youth artists someday.

Putz’s teacher, Dan Everson, said he typically has students who place in the PTA writing contest, but this is the first time he has had a state grand prize winner.

“When I send these in, I have no idea what’s going to happen,” Everson said. “I was surprised to have four winners, because the most we’ve ever had is two.”

Everson noted that this year’s theme was particularly difficult, in his opinion, so he was pleased that so many of his students took on the challenge. He noted he first had to teach his students what the words “Believe, Dream, Inspire” meant and then let them develop their own ideas.

All of the students will be honored at the state PTA conference April 25-27 in Eau Claire.