What's Great About My Country

What�s your favorite thing about this great country of ours? This was the question posed as the theme for the annual Cooperative Living magazine youth art contest, and wow, did we get some amazing work!

From all across Virginia, children answered the call for contest entries. Young artists offered their interpretations of what they love most about America � from freedom of religion to wildlife � in an expansive array of colorful, creative talent.

Our panel of judges notoriously has a difficult task, and this year was no exception! Judging is done by blind ballot, so even our judges look forward to the revelation of competition results. This year�s best-in-show accolades went to Tessa Bennett, a fourth-grader from Fairfield, Va. Tessa will receive a check for $100, and first-place winners in each grade will receive $25. Winning entries are showcased on the following pages, and honorable mentions are listed as well. So without further adieu, we present our 2010 Cooperative Living Youth Art Competition results ...

Editors note: We had several excellent entries done in horizontal format that had to be eliminated. Contest specifications required entries to be in vertical format.