MOUNT VERNON — March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, and that gave the Knox County community a great opportunity to raise awareness, learn more about inclusion, and share the stories of individuals who live, work, and thrive in the county.
While the Knox County Board of DD and its various provider agency partners are active year-round in providing service and support for those with developmental disabilities, March is a particularly fun time to highlight the important roles that individuals with developmental disabilities have within the fabric of our great community.
The Knox County Board of Developmental Disabilities was excited to host its 9th annual Coloring and Essay Contest for all Knox County Elementary Schools this year and thanks the students for helping celebrate. Eight hundred and thirteen students participated in the coloring and essay contests. Ninety-eight classrooms participated, representing 12 different elementary schools in Knox County.
The winners of this year’s coloring contest (K-2nd grades) are Nyah Mathews Fredericktown), Magnolia Patrick (East Knox), Maren Waibel (Columbia), Ivy Stotts (Pleasant St.), Margery Gerecke (East), Sophia Weikle (Danville), Gavin Heran, (Dan Emmett), Aubree Joiner (Twin Oak), Grady Lussier (Centerburg), Cora Erndt (St. Vincent de Paul) and Eleanor Wallace (Wiggin St.).
The winners of this year’s essay contest (3rd-5th grades)are Avaline Davis (Fredericktown), Faith Hays (East Knox), Cohen Hubbard (Columbia), Kinley Cummings (Pleasant St.), Mollie Jurkowitz (East), Joshiah Guajardo (Danville), Daleigh Compton (Dan Emmett), Maddie Graham (Twin Oak), Josie Michalak (Centerburg), Charlee Clinedinst (St. Vincent de Paul) and Alice Glandon (Wiggin St.).
Congratulations to Linsey Staats from Twin Oak Elementary for winning this year’s teacher classroom prize.
Knox Community Hospital proudly supports the vibrant pulse of our community by sponsoring the Life & Culture section on Knox Pages, celebrating the stories and experiences that make our region unique.