Craven County Schools Students Spread Holiday Cheer Through Artwork

This holiday season, students across Craven County Schools were invited to help spread a message of joy and hope through their creativity. The district hosted an art contest, encouraging elementary, middle, and high school students to submit their visions of the holidays. The winning designs are featured on the Board of Education's and the Superintendent's holiday card, which will be sent to over 400 recipients, including school staff, community leaders, and education partners across the state.

After receiving 19 talented submissions from students at three schools, the Craven County Schools Board of Education selected their winning image during the work session held on November 12, 2024. The superintendent then selected her winning image for the 2024 Holiday Card.  

Greta Schimmel’s Winning Board of Education Design
Greta Schimmel, a 9th-grade student from New Bern High School, created the holiday card chosen to represent the Craven County Schools Board of Education this year. Under the guidance of her art teacher, Ms. Shannon Tarlton, Greta captured the spirit of the season with a beautifully designed piece that stood out among many impressive submissions. Her artwork was scanned and printed onto cards, with holiday greetings added to the inside.

“We were so impressed by the talent and creativity shown by all of the students, and Greta’s piece truly embodied the joy and hope we want to share with our community during the holidays,” said Scott Murphy, Craven County Schools Board of Education Chairman. The cards featuring Greta’s artwork will be sent to over 300 recipients locally and throughout the state, bringing a festive touch to the district’s holiday greetings.

Everett Merritt’s Artwork for the Superintendent’s Card
Craven County Schools Superintendent Dr. Wendy Miller also selected a winning piece for her personal holiday card. The design chosen was created by 1st-grade student Everett Merritt from W.J. Gurganus Elementary. Under the instruction of his teacher, Ms. Leah Yurk, Everett’s artwork radiates the warmth and cheer of the holiday season. His design will be printed on cards that will be distributed to over 100 recipients, including educators and community members, both locally and statewide.

“Everett’s artwork captures the innocence and excitement of the holiday season, and I am proud to share it with others in the community,” said Dr. Miller. “It’s wonderful to see students of all ages contribute to the holiday spirit in such a meaningful way.”

Celebrating Student Talent and Community Spirit
The art contest allowed students to showcase their creativity and be part of something larger—spreading goodwill and cheer throughout the district and beyond. Both Greta and Everett’s artwork will serve as a reminder of the incredible talent in Craven County Schools and the strong sense of community that the district fosters.

“Congratulations to Greta and Everett for your outstanding contributions to this year’s holiday cards. Your artwork beautifully reflects the spirit of the season, and we are so proud to feature your creations on behalf of Craven County Schools,” said Dr. Miller.

The holiday cards featuring these two talented students will symbolize the district’s ongoing commitment to arts education and community involvement. Craven County Schools is excited to share these heartfelt messages of joy and hope with its students, families, and the broader community during the holiday season. All images submitted will be used for various messages throughout the holiday season.