Trails Head Chapter Calendar Contest 2015-2024
How Trails Head Chapter became involved in presenting the Calendar Contest
Trails Head Chapter became involved with the OCTA Calendar Contest in 2014. Jean Coupal-Smith, a new member to Trails Head, felt it was time that the beginning of the trail, which is in the Greater Kansas City Area, should be represented as well as the western states that primarily had entries for the contest. Her granddaughter was in First Grade and attending St. John Paul II Catholic Grade School (JPII) in Overland Park. Mrs. Gorman was the teacher and someone she had known for many years as she once taught her kids. What better person to approach than an old friend to see what the interest would be for her first graders to learn a little local trail history and show off their artistic talents.
2015 Calendar Winners!
(L) Isabella Young, (R) Grace Ryan – Both were 1st Grade
In January of 2014, the first Calendar Contest was presented to the first-grade class at JPII; what an enthusiastic group of students! Jean provided her “travels” trail map, a National Park Service map of the United States which details all the Historic National Trails. Travel pins dot the many trips she had been on and indicate many of the special trail events that she had seen over the past few years. The map created a great visual for the kids. They were able to see the starting points of the California, Oregon, and Santa Fe Trails as they began on just the other side of the city and traversed through streets that are close to where the school is located. Some of the students knew about where these trails passed as they had seen the brown signs which had been placed by the Kansas City Area Historic Trails Association. These signs indicate the actual traveled route of the emigrants through the area. Looking at the trail map and seeing the distance that had to be traveled for the emigrants to reach their final destinations made for some interesting questions. Inquiring minds found it almost impossible to believe that they had to walk 2000 miles.
2016 Calendar Winner!
(L) Henry Morgan, (R) Mrs. Gorman, 1st Grade Teacher
The contest has been presented to the JPII students ever since. That number of students has grown from being just the first grade to now include the first through fourth grades. Each year the subject of the calendar is new, so students and teachers have the opportunity to do computer research, read and find information about the calendar subject, make a plan of what they intend to draw, and produce the final product of wonderful artistic abilities. Outside materials, such as books and toys, have been left with the class to help do their research.
2017 Calendar Winners! (L-2nd row end) Sophia Harris, Mrs. Gorman and all of the 1st Grade Class
Even though Jean’s presentation follows somewhat the same information presented each year, it’s always that first year that leaves the most lasting impression. The comment of “they really had to walk all that way” still tops the list of inquires about trail history.
Both girls were able to attend the 2017 OCTA Convention in Council Bluffs, IA. They received their awards at the Awards Banquet and were able to sign their calendar page.
2018 Calendar Winners! (R) Maggie Moloney – 3rd Grade (L) Samantha Jo Kirk — 4th Grade
This is such a rewarding program to present to these students. Bill Hill, Chairman of the Educational Committee - OCTA, certainly has his work cut out for him when deciding who the winners of the calendar entries will be. Out of over 300 entries, his committee chooses 14 drawings to create the calendar. Each of those winners then receives a $50.00 check and a calendar. The school and teacher of that class are notified of any winners and they each receive a calendar.
As a chapter we are always excited to have a winner or winners each year. Pictures of our young artist and their entries will be updated here each year for you to view. To learn more about about entering the contest visit the OCTA National website.
2020 Calendar Winner: Lucy Herrold, 4th Grade
2020 Calendar Winner: (L) Mrs Gittemeyer, teacher, (R) Mirabelle Sullivan, 1st Grade
