Story and photos provided by Stillwater Medical Foundation

In cooperation with the Stillwater Medical Foundation, Commerce Bank (Tulsa) sponsored the third annual Healing Through Art Contest. Stillwater Public School students were invited to create an original birthday or Christmas card artwork. The contest consisted of four age divisions. 

From 95 entries, first place was selected by a committee for the birthday and Christmas categories. Barb Henderson, Stillwater Medical Center volunteer, has served on the selection committee since the contest’s first year. “I love getting to see the thought and creativity the students put into this contest, and that it shows them they can use their talents to support the community,” said Henderson.

Finalists of each division were chosen to be put online for voting to determine a People’s Choice award. Over 1,000 votes were cast. Congratulations to the following artists:

• Grades 3-5: 1^st Place Birthday – Henry Jones, Highland Park Elementary; 1^st Place Christmas, People’s Choice – Emma Steele, Westwood Elementary
• Grades 6-9: 1^st Place Birthday, People’s Choice- Olivia Price, Stillwater Middle School; 1^st Place Christmas- Maiya Bruce, Stillwater Middle School
• Grades 10-12: 1st Place Birthday- Jordan Weldon, Stillwater High School; 1^st Place Christmas, People’s Choice-Angel Veselak, Stillwater High School
• Special Artists: 1^st Place Birthday-Jakobi Bowie, Stillwater Middle School; 1^st Place Christmas, People’s Choice- Dustin Palmer, Richmond Elementary

The first place winners each received $75 and chose a teacher to receive a matching award for classroom needs. People’s Choice award winners received $50. Stillwater Medical Foundation would like to thank Commerce Bank for sponsoring this unique opportunity for students to benefit the community.

Scott Petty, Executive Director, SMC Foundation and Darren Walkup, Senior Vice President, Commerce Bank, presented each of the students with a certificate and their prize. Several students’ artwork will be printed as greeting cards, available for purchase soon. Proceeds will go to the new Stillwater Women’s Health Center. The renovated and expanded area will enhance women’s health services, including Stillwater Women’s Clinic and the Maternal Child Health Unit. 

“Participating as the sponsor of the medical foundation’s Healing Through Art Contest allowed us to interact with and express our thanks to Stillwater students and their parents. Seeing their contributions to bring awareness to Stillwater Medical is tremendously rewarding,” said Commerce Bank’s, Darren Walkup.

The Stillwater Medical Foundation appreciates every student who entered, as well as the teachers and schools for participating in the Healing Through Art Contest. All award-winning art can be viewed online. For more information on the Stillwater Women’s Health Center, or to make a donation, please visit www.smc-foundation.org or call 405-742-5387.

About the SMC Foundation: The mission of the Stillwater Medical Center Foundation is to support the Stillwater Medical Center.  The Foundation, as SMC’s primary fundraising agency, solicits, receives, manages and disburses private gifts for the benefit of Stillwater Medical Center.  Please contact Scott Petty, Executive Director of the SMC Foundation at 405.742.5387.