2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest Winners Announced
•November 15, 2023•
The Sullivan American Legion Auxiliary Unit #68 recently presented awards to several Sullivan students who competed in their 2023 Veterans Day Art and Writing Contest.
Junior Taylar Mercer won the 11th and 12th grade art division with her piece entitled “A Proud Veteran.” Her drawing combines two images of John James. According to her creator’s statement that, “He was an African-American World War II veteran who was denied an officer position for 76 years due to his race. After 36 years of retirement, he was recognized and rewarded his officer bars. He wore them with pride.”
Judges were particularly impressed by Mercer’s creativity in combining images of a young and older James in his uniform. One half of her drawing is based on a photo of him when he was younger and was denied becoming an officer because of his race. The other half is based on an image of him after he retired and was finally promoted.