Malden School Committee recognizes local student winners of 5th Congressional District Art Show

Malden High 9th Grader Hazel Queen, Forestdale 5th Grader Claire Johnston honored at Monday’s meeting

By Steve Freker

A pair of creative artists from the Malden Public Schools were officially recognized and congratulated by the members of the Malden School Committee and Superintendent Dr. Timothy Sippel for their First Place finishes in the recent 5th Congressional District Art Show. The Congressional Art Show/Contest was hosted by U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Revere, 5th Congressional District).

Hazel Queen, a Malden High 9th grade student, was recognized Monday as the First Place winner in the 5th Congressional District Art Show for the acrylic work “The Future is in Her Hand.” According to information from Congresswoman Clark’s Washington, D.C., office, Queen’s work highlights how in the Democratic Republic of Congo 25.4 million people are food insecure, the highest for any individual country worldwide.

She received an official Malden School Committee citation noting her achievement from Chairperson and Mayor Gary Christenson – on behalf of the School Committee – at Monday’s regular meeting held in the City Council Chambers at Malden City Hall. Hazel was joined by members of her family and Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel at the brief ceremony. Also honored was Forestdale School 5th grader Claire Johnston, who also received an award from the District Art Show for her sketch, titled “Trees from Around the World!” celebrating Arbor Day.

Arbor Day is a holiday that celebrates and promotes the planting and care of trees, emphasizing their importance to the environment and human well-being. Recently recognized here in the United States and in many countries around the world on April 25, “It is a time to appreciate the ecological, social, and economic benefits of trees, as well as to encourage their preservation and sustainable management,” according to the National Arbor Day Foundation.

Claire was joined by her family, Superintendent of Schools Dr. Timothy Sippel, Forestdale School Principal Adam Weldai and other Forestdale staff members at a brief ceremony at Monday’s School Committee meeting where she received an official citation from Mayor Christenson on behalf of the members.

Copies of Hazel’s and Claire’s artwork are on display at Congresswoman Clark’s office in Washington.