WHITEWATER REGION — Local elementary school students from the Township of Whitewater Region were recognized at an awards ceremony for an annual Christmas card contest on Monday. The contest was hosted by the Pembroke Regional Hospital Foundation (PRHF) and over 150 holiday card designs were submitted.
Roger Martin, PRHF Executive Director, thanked students who submitted their Christmas artwork, along with teachers and parents for organizing the submissions which lined the walls of the foundation. Hospital staff voted for the top three designs.
Presley Rochon, age 10, of Cobden placed first. Grade seven student Paige Mayer of Beachburg placed second. Third place was awarded to grade three student Colin England of Beachburg. The inspiration for Miss. Mayer’s artwork came from Hallmark stories and themes of the winter holidays, while Mr. England researched popular Christmas images on the Internet.
This is Miss. Rochon’s second year entering the contest and told Whitewater News contributor Kyle Dupuis she was surprised and very happy about her win. “I did the contest last year and decided to try again,” she said. The win had even more meaning for Miss. Rochon, as her design was originally a 16 inch by 20 inch painting to brighten up her grandfather’s hospice room. He passed away this week.
The winners each received two tickets to the Pembroke movie theatre and have had their art turned into Christmas cards. The cards are available in packages of six and include two of each winning design.
“I’m really happy to see my card design for sale,” she said. “I’ve never had anything for sale before!” The cards can now be purchased at the PRH Foundation office, Pick-It Fence Pembroke and Ashley Homestore Select. Each package is $10 and proceeds support the PRH Foundation’s cutting edge campaign. The campaign funds upgrades to the inpatient surgical floor and supports equipment purchases for the orthopaedic program.
