Press Releases
State Housing Authority Announces Winners of Coloring/Essay Contest - 11/16/1998
The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority announced the winners of the "What My Home Means To Me" essay and art contest today at the Fourth Annual South Carolina Housing Forum held at the Sheraton Hotel in Columbia. Jashmine Sherman, eleven year old daughter of Linda Sherman of Summerville, and eleven year old Taneesha Kates, granddaughter of Kay Sullivan of Spartanburg, tied for first place in the artwork category. Melissa Barker, ten year old daughter of Joyce and Cedric Barker of Summerville, received the first place essay award.
Eugene C. Spivey, chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the South Carolina State Housing Authority presented Jashmine, Taneesha and Melissa with $100 Savings Bonds, 20 inch bicycles complete with helmets and knee and elbow pads, and a framed certificate. Jashmine's artwork depicted a home with a bright sunshine behind it and Taneesha drew a home with flowers on the side and blue clouds in the sky. Words such as love and happiness float above the house to describe what her home means to her.
"Now I can be warm in the winter and cool in the summer...I'm at home here. I feel safe" are the words Melissa used in her award winning essay to describe what her home means to her. Tiarra Sanders, daughter of Latanya Sanders of Rock Hill, received the second place award for her outstanding artwork of what her home means to her. Shalunda Miller, daughter of Shirley Miller of Spartanburg, was awarded second place in the essay category. Shalunda wrote that her home "makes me feel good in my heart. My home means more to me than any home."
Honorable Mention recognition was given to: Leevarshay Barton, daughter of Harriett Barton of Columbia; Daisy and Denise Broadwater, daughters of Patricia Broadwater of Edgefield; Wylica Means, daughter of Annie Gray of Spartanburg; Ryan Smith, son of Brenda Smith of Spartanburg; Antonio and Gregory Brailsford, sons of Mary Brailsford of Manning; Chad Roper, son of Linda Roper of Greer; Bryan Holder, son of Linda Holder of Spartanburg; Chantay, Crystal and Kayla Seay, children of Tammy and Richard Seay of Summerville; Douglas Nickerson, son of Patricia Bradley of Spartanburg; Mechell Brooks,daughter of Betty Brooks of West Columbia; Felicia Young, daughter of Sara Young of Spartanburg; Cierra Reddish, daughter of Rebecca McIntyre of Spartanburg; Morgan Smoak, granddaughter of Emma Lee Hyrne of Cayce; and Candy Parker, granddaughter of Esther Parker of Turbeville.
Second place winners received $50 savings bonds and AM/FM radio/cassette players. Honorable mention entrants were awarded stereo cassette players. Educational packages containing dictionaries and art materials were presented to all entrants. "Being able to recognize these children means a lot," said Gene Spivey. "Our Authority staff members worked very hard raising funds to make prizes available for these children."
The "What My Home Means To Me" Coloring/Essay Contest was offered for children of families who have been helped into better housing situations through the Authority's Homeownership, Rental Assistance or Tax Credit programs. "The artwork and essays of these children send a very heartwarming message," said Spivey. "These children reflect the importance of our mission to continue to make affordable housing available where it is most needed."
"We feel that this contest gives us an opportunity to see how our work impacts the people we are trying to reach," said Authority executive director, David M. Leopard. "There is nothing more revealing or honest that the words and drawings of a child," he said.
Persons interested in homeownership and housing assistance programs in South Carolina can contact the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority in Columbia at (803) 771-2000. Persons with hearing impairments may use the Authority's TTY number (803) 734-2369. The State Housing Finance and Development Authority is a financially self sufficient agency of state government.
Equal Housing Opportunity