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SOLARTz

SOLARTz was a contest designed to heighten middle school students’ interest in the arts. The school chosen to participate was Willimantic Middle School in Willimantic.

Students were asked to either write a poem or create an art piece. All entries had to feature the sun. Because as you know, we are "The One with the Sun."

More than 100 entries were received. Professors from Eastern Connecticut State University judged each entry. Winners were named on July 20, 2006. The top three in each category won a cash prize ranging from $100 to $500.

The winning entries were displayed at the Windham Arts Collaborative in Willimantic.

SOLARTz was deemed a great success.

"SOLARTz was a great way for us to offer a unique program in one of our communities," said Jacqueline Buster, Director of Corporate Communications and Community Relations at CHNCT. "Willimantic is so supportive of the arts. We just knew it was the best place to hold this contest."

"This contest truly allowed students to pursue their love of the arts," Buster continued. "We were taken aback by the students' talents."

 Take a look at the work of our top contestants:

Visual Art


Victor Rivera
1st Place


Scottye Valladares
2nd Place - Tie

Eric Garcia
2nd Place - Tie

Danny Santiago
3rd Place

Poetry

Light And Hope poem (PDF)

The Window poem (PDF)

When the sun comes out poem (PDF)

Spotlight

Winning SOLARTz entries have been used in many CHNCT collateral materials. Art created by Nafaely Frutos, featured above, has been used on a CHNCT mug, among other items.