Little DaVinci

Xavier had a unique opportunity this year to participate in an awesome community event.  His school hosted an assembly where an organization came to teach them about healthy living.  At the end of that assembly the kids could fill out an information sheet to enter a drawing to participate in what they called a Community Canvas event later in the year.  Originally Xavier was not picked for this event (which he was super bummed about), but a couple kids that were picked couldn't participate and he was next in line.  I got an email the day before the event asking if Xavier was able to participate and I said "absolutely!"  

You're probably wondering what this Community Canvas event is all about.  Let me tell you!  Xavier, along with 9 other Shawnee Elementary students were selected to come to the Easton Public Market and show some of their artistic skills.  They were given one hour to draw a depiction of something they learned from the assembly on healthy living.  Each child received a bucket of art supplies to use while creating their masterpieces.  The winner of this event would then be entered into a finale round with other children that participated in these events in other communities.  Each student that created art at this event would have their art displayed in a local hospital.  

The host of the night said many professional artists work their entire life to get a piece of artwork displayed in a hospital and never get the chance.  So this was definitely an opportunity of a lifetime.

An empty canvas and a boy with a mind full of ideas!

The set up.

Artists during the creative process.

Xavier went with a comic book style art piece.  He did a great job and had so much fun doing this.  Before the kids started he shook hands with a couple kids around him and said good luck.  It made me smile to see how respectful he was of everyone participating.

The final product.  At the end of the night all the people that were there got to vote on their favorite art piece.  Let me just say these kids did a fantastic job!  Each piece was unique and so different from the next but were all creative and well planned out!  It was so fun to see everyone come out and do their best.
They also had healthy food to eat while the event was happening and some dancing activities for the kids to get their blood pumping.  After the host and assistants collected all the votes they announced the winner.  There was a tie.  Xavier and another young lady won!!!  He was so incredibly excited and can't wait to participate in the finale at the end of May.  I'm so glad he got to take part in such a neat experience.

Another exciting opportunity came a month later when Xavier entered a blue print to be considered for a STEM team at his school.   The STEM Challenge was given to those who wanted to try out .  In order to be considered for the team each entrant had to develop and draw up a blueprint for a new rollercoaster.  The rollercoaster would be used in a new theme park that was trying to promote greener building models in their rides.  Included with the blueprint the student had to write a brief description of what building materials would be used and what would make it a "greener" option.  Xavier created one he called the "Fire Breathing Dragon" that used solar panels for energy, a rechargeable battery to power the rollercoaster, and green building materials for the body of the rollercoaster. 

Well, he ended up being one of four students selected to form a Shawnee STEM team.  Once all four students were selected they spent about a month and a half coming up with a final rollercoaster blueprint to present at the regional competition.  Xavier went to school early many mornings to finalize their plans.  

On the day of competition, I dropped him off at the middle school where they would ride a bus to a local community college and participate in the regional competition.  This was such a cool opportunity and such a BIG boy activity. It was the first thing he's participated in that I nor any other parent was allowed to go and watch.  (I was so sad I couldn't be there to cheer him on and support him. I was biting my nails all day so nervous and anxious to hear how it all went)  

After Xavier got home he told me he had a great time!  His team didn't win, but they did a great job in their first year participating.  It was so cool just for him to see what something like that was like and he got to see middle school and high school kids creations too.  So it was all around a positive experience and something he'd like to do again.

I'm always so grateful that Xavier is open to trying new things and isn't afraid to jump right in to new experiences.  He's met some great friends this way and makes life enriching for him and all of us that get to see him shine!  Way to go Xavier!