Glenn Marshall student wins Children's Champions billboard contest
Mar. 10—Blake Vickers
If you have driven around much of the county in the last few weeks, odds are you have seen Emerson "Emmie" Radcliffe's artwork displayed on a billboard.
It depicts several hands of various colors reaching up in the air towards a heart.
"Every child deserves a champion," is written alongside the hands in a colorful script. According to Radcliffe, it is meant to depict the children of all the world.
"Everyone should be included," Radcliffe said of her inspiration behind the drawing.
During a school assembly on Thursday morning, the young artist and Glenn Marshall Elementary School first grader was honored by Children's Champions of Madison County.
"Each year we have the elementary school students make drawings. The winner of the contest is put on a billboard," said Children's Champion's of Madison County President Phillis Adams in a 2022 interview with the Register. "It's basically to promote to the county and others that come into our county that children are important and we want adults to do everything they can to ensure that children are successful."
Founded in 1997, Children's Champions advocates for the success and celebration of children. The billboard contest began in that first year of the organization, with the first winner becoming the group's official logo.
Radcliffe competed with other students from around the county in the billboard contest. At six-years-old, she is the youngest winner in the contest's history.
As part of the celebration, Madison County Judge Executive Regan Taylor read a proclamation naming March 9, 2023 as Emerson Radcliffe Day. She was presented with a plaque of the proclamation and her artwork.
Two of the county's Kiwanis Clubs were present at the event. Jocelyn Glover of the Berea Kiwanis Club presented Radcliffe's teacher Madelynn Nasrallah with a check for $100, while Lisa Cassity of the Richmond Kiwanis Club did the same for Radcliffe.
For her part, Nasrallah was exceedingly proud of her student, calling her a wonderful member of the classroom, school, and community at large. She said that the message in Radcliffe's drawing was one of particular importance.
"I think it is an important message not only in our classroom and school but for the entire Madison County School System. We have so much diversity here in Richmond. We can all work together and love and appreciate our differences," Nasrallah said.
It was particularly easy for Emmie Radcliffe's mother Natalie Radcliffe to attend the event, as she is a third grade teacher at Glenn Marshall Elementary. It was a proud morning for the educator.
"I feel excited for her. I got a little teary eyed. Emmie wants to be an illustrator when she grows up. She has a big heart and likes to include everyone so this is perfect for her," Natalie Radcliffe said.
On Saturday, March 11, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Children's Champions is bringing back its Kids Mall Madness event at the Richmond Mall. A wide variety of games and activities will be available to kids who come to the event, which is being held for the first time since the pandemic.
