Stack: 'Presidential Idol' Arts Contest Open to Area Students

PHILADELPHIA, January 12, 2009 — State Sen. Mike Stack reminds local students in grades K-8 that there is still time to honor their favorite U.S. president in an arts contest.

“State Sen. Mike Stack’s Presidential Idol Arts Contest” is open to all students in grades K-8 inthe 5th Senatorial District. The contest will honor Presidents Day with a theme based on the popular TV singing competition “American Idol.”

“Our presidents are the original ‘American Idols.’ They are the men who shaped our nation and who are honored in so many ways,” Stack said. “As a modern tribute to Presidents Day, I am inviting students to examine our presidents in the same way that they would vote for ‘American Idol’ contestants at home and design a poster in tribute to a president.”

Just as “American Idol” fans flash their posters during the TV show, students may design a poster that honors their Presidential Idol. Students may use any art medium and display their work on a standard poster board.

Students are asked to design their poster based on the following criteria:

• Grades K-2: A Presidents Day poster depicting what a president does, or just a poster celebrating Presidents Day in general.
• Grades 3-5: Pick your Presidential Idol from presidents 23 to 44 (Harrison to Obama).
• Grades 6-8: Pick your Presidential Idol from presidents 1 to 22 (Washington to Cleveland).

Students in grades 3-8 must also submit a brief summary describing why they selected their Presidential Idol.

“This contest is a fun way for students to research our nation’s presidents and honor them in a unique and creative way,” Stack said. “I encourage all students to honor our presidents’ legacies and treat our leaders like true ‘American Idols.’” 
One winner from each grade will be selected by a panel of judges. The winners will be invited to a ceremonial breakfast on Presidents Day, Monday, Feb. 16 at Franklin Towne Charter High School in the historic Frankford Arsenal. The winning posters will also be displayed in the senator’s district office in Parkwood for the community to view.

Entry forms are available on the senator’s Web site at www.senatorstack.com or in the district offices at Parkwood Plaza, 12361 Academy Road, 215-281-2539 or 8016 Bustleton Ave., 215-695-1020.

All posters and entry forms must be submitted by Monday, Feb. 2 to one of the senator’s district offices.

For more information, please contact any of the district offices.

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