By Cali Bagby
Principal Linda Martin stood in front of students at Lopez Elementary School and told them, “This is something that you’ll grow up and you’ll tell people about.”
The students were waiting for Secretary of State, Sam Reed to present fifth grader Jack Sovelove with a certificate of award and honorable mention for his art featured in the 3.5 million copies of the 2010 statewide Voters’ Pamphlet.
In honor of 100 years of women’s suffrage in Washington state, the contest theme was “Women’s Votes. Women’s Voices.”
The drawing, displayed on the Kids can vote page inside the pamphlet, depicts a women with the image of American flags in the reflection of her sunglasses.
Sovelove says that back in September, he was surprised to learn his photo was in the pamphlet.
He didn’t even know his teacher had submitted his art. Then in November he received phone calls from grandparents and cousins off island who have seen the pamphlet.
If he realizes how widely distributed his work is, he doesn’t show it.
“I was just trying to get the assignment done,” Sovelove said with a shrug.
Sovelove likes to draw cartoons and animation and is a fan of Matt Groening of “The Simpsons” and Gary Larson of the “Far Side.”
Soveleve’s father Steve Sovelove said his son gets his artistic talent from a little bit of both sides of the family.
“I’m very proud of him,” said his mother Alisa Ball.
When Reed arrived at the school he told the students how amazed he was by the drawings submitted for the contest.
About 300 students took part of last year’s contest.
“We’ve been doing this few years,” said Reed. “We like to get involved with young people.”
Students and faculty clapped as Reed presented Sovelove the official certificate of award.
“I’m proud to present this certificate,” said Reed shaking Sovelove’s hand.
“I would frame it,” suggested one student as several fifth graders crowded around Sovelove to admire the document and run their fingers over the golden seal.
For information about next year’s contest visit www.sos.wa.gov.
