Dale City student wins art award

When Christ Chapel Academy fifth-grader Anthony Ross received a plaque for his award-winning entry into the Virginia State Police Missing Children Clearinghouse art competition, it had the wrong school listed under his name.

"It said Spotsylvania," laughed Ross.

That was fine with Ross, though, who got a hero's reception at his small Christian school located on Smoketown Road in Dale City.

"Almost every grade was there in the cafeteria and almost everybody was clapping," said Ross, who received notification of his award in March.

Ross was of one of two contestants from Christ Chapel to enter the annual competition, which is judged by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Protection, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Endowment for the Arts and the law enforcement community.

Each contestant had to use the words Bring Our Missing Children Home. Ross' picture, which he did over two class periods, showed a road leading to the H in Home, which was literally a home.

On the periphery of the picture is a globe and on the opposite side are two children holding hands, with the words "Bring Them Back Where They Belong."

Ross said he was surprised at how well he did—only Klaire Haney-Heywood from Berkeley Elementary edged him out. But his art teacher was not, saying she was confident that he could finish in the top three.

"I noticed right away that he had artistic talent," said Michelle Haines.

Haines thought the words Ross chose to include at the bottom of the picture added a perfect, heartfelt touch.

A doodler since second grade, Ross said he would like to continue drawing when he gets older but said that is difficult some times.

Especially when you doodle on the back of school worksheets.

"I had to erase it [before I turned them in]," said Ross.

Staff writer Kipp Hanley can be reached at 703-878-8062.