Press Releases
“What My Home Means To Me” 2002 Coloring /Essay Contest Announces Winners - 1/9/2003
[Columbia, SC] Winners of the “What My Home Means To Me” Coloring and Essay Contest were announced today by the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority at their Palmetto Housing Forum held at the Adam’s Mark Hotel in Columbia. Reggine Church, eight-year-old daughter of Shallie Church of Columbia, received first place in the artwork category. Ten-year-old Kayleigh Rich, daughter of Kimberly Rich of Elgin, received the first place award in the essay portion of the contest.
Dan J. Rawls, chairman of the Board of Commissioners for the South Carolina State Housing Authority, presented Reggine and Kayleigh with $100 savings bonds, bicycles with helmets and kneepads, a framed certificate, and an educational package. Reggine’s artwork showed a brown house with a green lawn and a bright sunshine with blue clouds. In her award-winning essay, Kayleigh wrote “Ever since I was a little girl, I wanted a house…a house where I can plant flowers with my mother and build lots of stuff with my dad. My house means so much to me.”
Sha’Shanta Andrews, eight-year-old daughter of Cusonya Andrews of Saluda, received the second place artwork award for the outstanding picture she drew of a house with big windows, a garage, and flowers around the mailbox. Nine-year-old Taylor Freeman, granddaughter of Narvias Freeman of Cayce, received second place in the essay category. Taylor wrote, "My home holds memories of me and my family…it is cozy and warm in the winter and cool in the summer…I love my home.”
Second place winners received $50 savings bonds, a karaoke machine, and an educational package. “We continue to be surprised and gratified each year when we ask children in our programs to share what their home means to them through their pictures and essays. This contest gives us an opportunity to see how our many housing programs impact the citizens of our state,” said Dan Rawls, Chairman of the Board of Commissioners. “This project is a reflection of the importance of our work in providing safe, decent, affordable housing to the citizens of our state. It really gives us a warm feeling when we see what the security of having their own home means to these children,” said Rawls.
Honorable Mention recognition was awarded to: Jasmine Hope, daughter of Jennifer Hope of Columbia; Corey Lattimore, son of Corliss Lattimore of Wellford; Delecia Davis, daughter of Carol Terry of Anderson, Jauquoria Myers, daughter of Jalanda Myers of Columbia; Marketa and Mark Smith, daughter and son of Tanqenike Smith of Greenville; T’Keyah Charles, daughter of Brenita Wilson of Columbia; Malakai Brown, son of Tonya Carter of Columbia; Shareka Sharpe, daughter of Inez Sharpe of Manning; Bashuma Burnside, son of Virginia Burnside of Greenville; Xavius Riley, son of Mildred Fogle of Columbia; Tramecia Hill, daughter of Sabrina Hill of Greenville; Andre Mintz, son of Sheila Lee of Florence; David Wideman, son of Della Lewis of Greenville; Osteen Dow, son of Debra Benson of Camden; Bennie and Deanna Nowlin, son and daughter of Nellie Nowlin of Florence; Desiree Brown, daughter of Della Brown of Greenville; Shonta Bingley and Caretha Lee, daughters of Sheila Lee of Florence; Spencer Mosley, Jr., son of Jasmine Stevens of Greenville; Christopher McKinney, son of Bernice McKinney of Manning; Brea’na Cruell, daughter of Nicola Byrd of Greenville; Sapphire Frierson, daughter of Latonda Frierson of Manning; Annbria Speed, daughter of Tisha Hudgens of Summerville; Briana Dozier, daughter of Vickie Dozier of Manning; Isabella Gormanson, daughter of Carmen Seech of Florence; Morgan Thompson, daughter of Marcella Wright of Columbia; Shannon Baggerly, daughter of Joe Baggerly of Florence; Adriana McCray, daughter of Pamia Smiling of Manning; Derrick and Eric Sibert, sons of Roberta Sibert of Greenville; Thomas Ponta, son of Lee Ponto of Columbia; Granison and Nisia Peterson, son and daughter of Cynthia James of Manning; Ariel Holloway, daughter of Gloria Holloway of Johnston; Eleanor Bailey, daughter of Rhonda Bailey of Florence; Keshawn Lloyd, daughter of Loretta Montgomery of Manning; Ja’Myra Woodley, daughter of Rebecca Woodley of Lexington; Shelvia Harrison, daughter of Michelle Van Buren of Manning; Zaria Smith, son of Linda Smith of Batesburg; Julisa Erby, daughter of Floree Erby of Greenville;
The “What My Home Means To Me” Coloring/Essay Contest began in 1992 when the National Council of State Housing Agencies asked state housing authorities to participate in a campaign to give Mortgage Revenue Bonds and the Housing credit program permanent status. The South Carolina State Housing Authority continued the contest offering it to children of families who have been helped into better housing situations through the Authority’s housing assistance programs.
In 2001 the South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority’s “What My Home Means to Me” Coloring/Essay Contest was designated by the Governor as a “Hero” of the 2001 South Carolina Year of the Child. The Hero campaign is dedicated to finding, recognizing and celebrating the individuals and groups throughout the Palmetto state who serve children in extraordinary ways.
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) 734-2000 or visit our website at www.sha.state.sc.us. Persons with hearing impairments may use the Authority’s TTY number (803) 734-2369.
The South Carolina State Housing Finance and Development Authority is a self-supporting agency of state government and operates at no cost to the taxpayers of South
Carolina.
Equal Housing Opportunity