Last year’s winning piece of art, entitled “Nostalgia,” was created by Ruby Henrickson of Ludington.
Congressman Bill Huizenga announced the start of the 2018 Congressional Art Competition for high school students across Michigan’s Second Congressional District.
“The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful way for West Michigan students to showcase their creativity and demonstrate their artistic ability,” said Rep. Huizenga. “I look forward to seeing the innovative and imaginative artwork from aspiring student artists across West Michigan.”
The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. on Friday, April 20. All original entries should be submitted to Congressman Huizenga’s office in Grandville. Entries are limited to one per student.
The winning entry and finalists will be selected by a panel of local art and design professionals. The winning entry from each congressional district will be displayed on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. The winning artist will also be invited to fly to Washington, D.C. for a national reception honoring the winning artists from across the nation.
The 2018 Congressional Art Competition Rules and Regulations for both students and teachers can be found here. If you have questions regarding the rules, the competition itself, or submitting a piece of art, please contact Sarah Lisman in the Grandville District Office at 616-570-0917.
Commissioners Emily Brieve and Stan Ponstein (Photo courtesy of Emily Brieve)
By Lisa LaPlante
Kent County
Commissioners Emily Brieve, Stan Ponstein and Robert Womack joined more than 50 county commissioners from across Michigan on Aug. 8 at a White House Conference to discuss greater cooperation between local and federal leaders. The Commissioners were invited by the Trump administration to share their views on public policy challenges facing local governments.
Commissioner Brieve, who serves District 10 part of Caledonia Township and Gaines Township, said it was an informative visit. “Communicating with the various levels of government can be like playing a game of telephone. This meeting was important because it gave us, at the County level, a direct line to the White House,” Brieve said. “We were able to communicate our role in local government and bring light to issues important to counties in Michigan. This opportunity has allowed us access to departments that provide funding for core services to Kent County residents.”
Commissioners Ponstein and Brieve (in back) with the rest of the county commissioners from Michigan. (Photo by Emily Brieve)
Commissioner Ponstein felt honored to receive an invitation. “No one with the Michigan Association of Counties has ever known of the White House inviting County Commissioners to appear before them to speak of shortcomings of the Federal Government. I am glad I had the opportunity, along with two other Kent County Commissioners, to have our voice be heard,” Commissioner Ponstein of District 7 which is Grandville and part of Wyoming, said after the visit. “I was asked often, ‘What does the public really think?’; I simply stated that in Kent County, when residents see a problem, they work together to find a solution; they don’t feel that way about the Federal Government; they feel the system is broken and it no longer works for the people.”
The evening before the conference, the Commissioners attended a briefing from the Michigan Association of Counties and National Association of Counties on “Matters of Importance to Michigan.” “The engagement of Michigan commissioners in this event is highly encouraging,” said Stephan W. Currie, Executive Director of the Michigan Association of Counties. “There’s nothing more valuable in the development of strong public policy than to have local elected officials giving their on-the-ground assessments to federal leaders.”
Nonstop service from the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) began today with a celebratory press conference, water canon salute, and capitol building-themed cake.
American Airlines announced the service in December, which is operated by American Eagle. The service features 13 weekly round trips.
“Nonstop service to Reagan National Airport has been a target market of ours, and we are happy to see American Airlines continue to invest in the Grand Rapids market,” said Gerald R. Ford International Airport President & CEO Jim Gill. “American has grown 74 percent at the Ford Airport since 2015, nearly tripling its seat capacity – that says a lot about American’s desire to expand here, and our community’s response to supporting new routes.”
The flight schedule for the new service includes departure times from Grand Rapids twice daily at 7:20 a.m. and 12:50 p.m. Sunday through Friday, and one daily departure at 9:40 a.m. on Saturdays. Service departing DCA and returning to GRR is twice daily at 10:00 a.m. and 5:45 p.m. Sunday through Friday, with a 4:00 p.m. daily departure time on Saturdays.
American Airlines has served Gerald R. Ford International Airport passengers for over 25 years, and also has nonstop service to Chicago-O’Hare, Dallas Fort Worth, Charlotte, and Philadelphia.
Editor’s Note: Hunter Noorman attended the Inauguration of President Donald Trump with his Wyoming High School classmates, and agreed to write about the experience for School News Network. He is in the Wyoming High School wind ensemble as the bass trombonist, captain and driver for the robotics team 858 Demons, and captain of the cross country and track teams. He has worked with the Wyoming City Council to speak on behalf of the younger generation. ” I enjoy helping others and getting new experiences,” he said.
The trip was packed with unforgettable events for Hunter Noorman and other Wyoming High School students (photos courtesy of Hunter Noorman)
As I stepped on the bus at approximately 5:45 a.m. last Thursday morning, I knew this trip to Washington D.C. to witness the Presidential Inauguration, with about 20 of my peers and history teacher John Doyle, was going to be crazy awesome. Sure, the ride seemed to drag on, but it built my excitement up for the days ahead, and it was an experience that lived up to my expectations.
Whether it was standing in front of a jumbotron to see the passing of powers from one president to another, to seeing one of our foreign-exchange students going body surfing at an Inaugural Ball hosted by student travel company WorldStrides, the trip overall had a positive impact on my life. I got to see democracy at its finest and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Wyoming High School joined a group of Flushing High School students who were just as excited as I was to see our nation’s Capitol. After the swearing in of the 45th president, we got to go see the Washington Monument and the National World War II Memorial. They were such amazing sights and I could not have been more impressed with D.C. The weather was dreary but that did very little to dull my excitement for this experience. After a long day of walking about 10 miles and seeing monuments and little shops on the sidewalk, we fell asleep at a Marriott that was by far the best hotel I had ever stayed in.
We visited several monuments, but the one that stuck out the most was the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial. It had so many inspirational quotes from a man who wanted to change the world and change the way people thought. I got to visit a couple Smithsonian museums, the National Archives and The United States Marine Corps War Memorial (better known as the Iwo Jima Memorial), as well as the Lincoln Memorial and Ford’s Theatre.
Wyoming High School students stand in front of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial.
I went to Arlington National Cemetery, which was a somber place but had a powerful presence. The Changing of the Guard was very powerful, as well as seeing where the Kennedys are buried. I saw my Advanced Placement U.S. History teacher enthused at the sight of a lot of original documents in the National Archives, which changed and shaped the United States into what it is today. The Declaration of Independence, U.S. Constitution, and even the Magna Carta were so moving because these documents had a significant influence on the U.S and the meaning of a democracy to me today.
There is so much more that I could explain in detail, but I was so amazed by my trip. From seeing the transition of power to witnessing our First Amendment rights executed through protesting, the memories from these events are ones I will carry with me for life. I made so many friends and met so many cool people, that the trip provided by WorldStrides was spectacular. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I can say I was there.
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Seeing the origins and the background of the United States was an experience I will be able to pass onto my kids one day. I finished the trip exhausted as one can be, but given the chance to go again I would take it. This is America, and this trip helped my love for history grow.
