Each year during the holiday season, the Phelan Chamber of Commerce presents “Home for the Holidays” in the Tri-Community NewsPlus November issue. This special pullout section features a variety of holiday-themed content, including a community shopping guide, holiday-themed games and puzzles, seasonal articles, and, of course, the highly anticipated Coloring Book Contest. Open to participants of all ages, from 3 to 99 and beyond, the contest brings together community members to showcase their creativity and love for the holiday season.
The Coloring Book Contest is fast becoming a tradition, encouraging contestants to channel their inner artist while celebrating the joy of the holidays. Each year, the Phelan Chamber of Commerce recognizes outstanding entries as board members vote for and award winners in four age groups with cash prizes of $100 for first place, $75 for second place, and $50 for third place. The December 2024 Coloring Book Contest saw about 30 participants, each bringing unique style and creativity to their artwork.
In the ages 3-6 category, first place went to Lolita Cardenas, 5, second place to Sienna R. Solano, 5, and third place to Natalia Klenke, 5. In the ages 7-12 category, first place was awarded to Jazmin Barraza, 12, second place to Bella Espinoza, 9, and third place to Olivia Valdez, 11. Among contestants ages 13-18, first place went to Esther Bae, 18, second place to Holly Lemerond, 16, and third place to Deegan Richardson, 15. In the ages 19 and up category, Riley Richardson, 19, took first place, followed by Denae Hernandez, 24, in second place, and Donna Serra, 61, in third place.
The artistic skills displayed by the Tri-Community artists are truly remarkable. The entries showcase the creative styles of the contestants, from detailed shading to bright, vibrant colors, and the varied use of crayons and marker pens. Jeanna Mills, the chairperson of the coloring contest, said that the creativity on display seems to grow every year, making the judging process both exciting and challenging.
The Coloring Book Contest is a fun and engaging activity for families, classrooms, and individuals looking to participate in the holiday spirit. Participants are excited to see their artwork printed in the local paper, a special bonus that adds to the experience.
The winning artwork from the Coloring Book Contest is featured throughout this issue, giving readers a chance to enjoy the artistic talent of community members. The Phelan Chamber of Commerce extends its gratitude to all who participated and encourages everyone to look forward to next year’s contest, which promises to bring even more creativity and holiday cheer. There’s plenty of time to practice keeping your coloring inside the lines.
