Justin Reyst, a seventh grader at Manchester Middle School in Manchester, MI had his artwork chosen over 300 other drawings for the ‘Manners on the Move? award, sponsored by Etiquettes Edge of Lake Orion.
Pamela Barc, executive director of Etiquettes Edge, sponsored the state-wide contest to expand awareness of the need for better manners in our society.
Barc said the judges were seeking three core elements in each drawing. The word ‘manners? needed to be a primary focus, it was crucial that the setting be universal — meaning manners can be used anywhere and the emphasis of respect towards everyone or everything should be clear.?
‘Justin’s humorous approach illustrating a skyline with a huge blimp boldly labeled ‘MANNERS?’high up in the sky and a small feathered bird politely saying ‘Please move? caught our attention immediately? said Barc.?’We just kept coming back to it with a chuckle every time.?
Barc noted that when we think of manners we think of friends, family and even strangers, but said the flying bird symbolized another important aspect.?
‘We need to be kinder to our planet and the beautiful God-given things in it,? she said.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm awarded Etiquettes Edge a proclamation called ‘Manners on the Move? for November 2007. The art contest was seen by Carrie Resh, art teacher at Manchester Middle School, who encouraged her students to participate.
Reyst was awarded a ‘Manners on the Move? plaque, a Speak Kind Words shirt, and received a copy of his artwork. His artwork will also be used internationally in promotional materials.
See an interview with Justin at www.etiquettesedge.com.
‘I didn’t expect to win,? said Reyst. ‘But now I realize that manners are just about doing little things that get you noticed in good ways? I guess that’s really what my drawing did.?