holiday card

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Taylor Smith 
Email: taylor@ssda.org

Compass Charter Student Wins Statewide Art Contest

SACRAMENTO, CA, December 17 – The California Small School Districts' Association (SSDA) is proud to announce that, 9th-grade student at Kaliann Woodson, Compass Charters of Yolo County was the winner of the statewide Holiday Art Contest.  Her artwork was selected from over 75 submissions throughout California and her work will be featured on the annual SSDA holiday card that is sent to over 535 districts throughout California.

“We are thrilled to host this art contest and the work of so many young artists bring such joy to our organization,” says Tim Taylor, SSDA Executive Director.  “What a great honor for Kailann and her school to be selected as a statewide winner. Her painting simply jumped out as an exceptional piece and met the 2021 holiday spirit. The simplicity of her work takes discipline and creativity that other students can learn from.”

SSDA is a nonprofit organization that started in 1982 to advocate and be the voice of small rural schools throughout California. They represent over 60% of districts in California. It is a primary goal of SSDA to highlight students in the arts throughout California. This competition pulls together such a diverse group of students in some of the smallest towns in California.  

“Opportunities such as the SSDA Holiday Card Scholar Art Contest help uncover and discover the hidden talents of the scholars enrolled in our schools. It was wonderful to discover Ms. Woodson’s talent and her amazing work on her piece, ‘Winter Joy,’ shared J.J. Lewis, Superintendent & CEO for Compass Charter Schools. “Her work truly does bring winter joy and I am so proud of her for submitting her work to this contest and honored that she was selected as the winner. We are all proud of Ms. Woodson and look forward to seeing more of her artistic creativity throughout the year.” 

Kaliann’s first reaction to hearing the news was "Really?  I won?  This is amazing! I feel like a professional artist." 

For more information contact Tim Taylor at Tim@ssda.org 916.949.1601  or Compass Charter School Superintendent JJ Lewis at jlewis@compasscharters.org

About Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) The California Small School Districts’ Association (SSDA) is California’s leading organization in terms of addressing, supporting, and lobbying on issues specific to the unique needs of small school districts. The mission of the Small School Districts’ Association is to provide relevant information and proactive assistance to small school district governing boards and superintendents through legislative advocacy, collaboration, professional development, and support services. To learn more, visit https://www.ssda.org