Melrose Youth Art Contest Winners Announced

MELROSE, MA — Melrose announced five winners of its recent youth art contest on Wednesday, recognizing first, second and third place artists as well as two honorable mention recipients.

The Melrose Health and Human Services Department announced the program earlier this year and displayed finalist art projects in the contest at the city's Victorian Fair on Sept. 11. There, community members voted to select the eventual winners.

Winners are as follows:

• 1: Phoebe Key O’ Neil (Grade 5)
• 2: Angel Bethune (Grade 6)
• 3: Lillian Boulay (Grade 2)
• Honorable Mention: Ethan Bessette (Grade 3)
• Honorable Mention: Joy Bethune (Grade 4)

The contest centered on the theme “What makes you happy?”

The Health and Human Services Department said this week that it received “a plethora” of artwork from local elementary and middle school students as part of this process.

Health and Human Services Department Director Anthony Chui thanked contest participants and said the department is glad to have been able to introduce self-care through art this summer.

“It is inspiring to know we had so many youth participants,” Melrose Health and Human Public Health Specialist Emily Hatchouel said in the department’s announcement.

Hatchouel said the department is now hoping to offer similar events and programs as a regular occurrence in the future.

“We want to engage the community and spread awareness about mental health and the resources the City has available,” she said.

Pictures of all winning artwork in this art contest are available through the Melrose Health and Human Services Department’s Facebook page here.