A thousand dollars in prize money was awarded Dec. 5 during the awards ceremony at the Safford Public Library to community members who participated in The Big Read Art Contest.

For the past two years, the Safford Public Library, Graham County School Superintendent’s Office and the Gila Valley Arts Council have formed a partnership to bring The Big Read to the Gila Valley.

Readers from seventh grade through adults were invited to submit art entries depicting the theme of the book they read. The contest included entries featuring three Big Read books: “Esperanza Rising,” Latino Poetry and “Bless Me, Ultima.”

Ashley Montierth from Safford Middle School received a bronze award, a certificate and check for her art entry depicting the theme in the "Esperanza Rising" book. Photo by Keri Lunt

Winners received a framed certificate and a check. Funding for the prizes was provided by the Arizona Community Foundation.

Prizes were awarded in four categories: copper, gold, silver and bronze. Robert Kempton, the president of the Gila Valley Arts Council, said copper was chosen as the first-place prize because “of its tremendous economic impact to our Valley.”

Winners in the “Esperanza Rising” Big Read Art Contest are as listed: Bronze awards: Paige Christensen, Kolton Schroder, She Adams, Katie Russel, all of Thatcher Middle School; and Ashley Montierth, Safford Middle School.

Silver awards: Chantel Udal, Taylor Barney, Colton Cook, Tiana Roebuck, Michelle Weatherhead, Victoria Vigil, Thatcher Middle School; and Ana Chavez, Haylee Lopez, Safford Middle School. Gold awards: Morgan Brady, Thatcher Middle School. Copper award: Jessica Wright, Thatcher Middle School.

Trystin Chavez was awarded an honorable mention. She is a fifth-grade home-schooled student.

Winners in the Latino Poetry Big Read Art Contest follow: Silver awards: Mikala Burge, Carolina Gil-Ayala, Josh Reynolds and Brittany Williams, Safford Middle School. Gold awards: Adrienne Lopez, Safford Middle School. Copper award: Victorya Smith, Safford Middle School.

Four community members submitted entries to depict the theme or a scene from “Bless Me, Ultima.” Sharon Foster received the silver award. Frank Borunda and Brad Grower received gold awards. Shirley Holladay received the copper award. Holladay was the top winner in the Big Read Art Contest in 2007, as well.

Winning entries will be on display in the library for the month of December and in the Emil Crockett Insurance Co. window on Main Street in January.