The joy of dancing in the rain was the inspiration for BNG Student Art Competition winner, Michelle Araujo.

The theme of this year’s annual competition was Water is Me.

Michelle, 15, winner of the secondary school category, painted feet splashing in a puddle.

“I thought of different things to do with water,” said Michelle. “When I was younger I used to go out and jump in the rain. My mother always used to say I was going to get sick, but I loved making big splashes. I didn’t think I was going to win, I just entered for the fun of it.”

The competition was divided into six different age categories.

Michelle’s two Mount Saint Agnes classmates, Jennifer Rego Souza, 16, and Hunter Squire, 15, won second place and third place respectively.

Jennifer, 16, said she painted a picture of water running off a cross to commemorate the death of her father, David Rego Souza, several years ago.

“I always try to incorporate my dad into my artwork,” she said. “He is not here anymore and I still miss him. I add a cross to all of my art pieces.”

She was pleased to win the award as she hoped to go into the arts either as an art teacher, a tattoo artist or as a chef.

Hunter said her passion for marine life led her to paint a turtle.

“I am a volunteer at the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo (BAMZ),” she said. “I have learned a lot about Bermuda sea turtles since I have been there. I also have pet turtles, so it seemed natural to use them as my theme.”

MSA deputy principal Margaret DeGiacamo said the school was very proud, not just of their winning students, but also of their art teacher, Christina Capello.

Dany Pen, BNG education officer, said judges for the competition, Michael Walsh, Edwin Smith, Indigo Palacio, Ann Spurling, Teresa Kirby Smith and Catherine Hunt, were thrilled by the quality of the work and had a hard time choosing winners. The judges looked at use of materials, technique, and general theme appreciation, among other things.

Three winners from six different age categories in the competition were chosen from 430 entries. There was an overall winner chosen and the grand prize winner’s teacher also received a prize.

Diane Campos, mother of overall winner Jaliyah Caines, 7, of Heron Bay Primary, said Jaliyah was super excited to win the competition.

“She is very shy,” said Ms Campos, “but she loves to draw. That’s the first thing she does, every day when she comes home. She decided to draw a mermaid on a beach because mermaids are her favourite thing.”

Ms Pen said she loved the way students did a great job using a variety of materials and perspectives.

“Students were also asked to include a poem or a few words to go with their pieces,” said Ms Pen. “That was very moving.”

For example, Khefera Ambrose, 11, of Elliot Primary School wrote a poem that included the line: “Beautiful water, confident land, sprout up Bermuda!”

Prizes included gift certificates from the Bermuda Stationary Store. Red Laser also donated a printer to grand prize winner Jaliyah and her art teacher, Tianae Simons.

Other winners included:

Primary three: first place Jaliyah Caines, second place Xaana Green, West Pembroke and third place Rodnie Henrique, East End Primary.

Primary four: first place Nae’Zori Weeks, Purvis Primary, second place Chloe Fubler, West Pembroke and third place Jayson Paynter, East End Primary

Primary five: first place Nigerie Daniels-Ming, East End Primary, second place Elsie Hastings, Warwick Academy, third place Alaysia Swan, Prospect Primary.

Primary six: first place Siena Jabon, Warwick Academy, second place Khefera Ambrose, Elliot Primary and third place, Zoe Moniz, Warwick Academy

Middle school winners: first place Amy Palmer, Saltus Grammar, second place Yasmin Burt, Bermuda High School (BHS) and third place Liam Flannery, Warwick Academy