School 14 fifth-grader Scout Norkin won a t-shirt design contest inspired by the theme “who is Troy”. Pictured with School 14 Art Teacher Cathy Jones, TCS Art Teacher Tanya Harrison, and TCS Students D’Angelo Edge and Loyalty Goodwine
Fifth graders at all five Troy elementary schools participated in a t-shirt design contest inspired by the theme “Who is Troy?”
The project was an expansion of a long-standing partnership between Troy Community School (TCS) and visiting artist Ralph Stollenwerk, who teaches students the art and technique of printmaking. The collaboration is supported through the Arts in Education Grant, which funds creative programming across all Troy schools.
All fifth-grade classes from across the district participated in the program. Following a showcase of student artwork, Scout Norkin, a fifth grader at School 14, was selected as this year’s contest winner.
TCS students printed Scout’s winning artwork on t-shirts as part of their collaboration with visiting artist Ralph Stollenwerk.
Students at TCS used their printmaking skills to produce shirts featuring Scout’s design, guided by Stollenwerk throughout the process. As part of the celebration, Scout and her classmates received custom-printed T-shirts and enjoyed a pizza party. TCS students D’Angelo Edge and Loyalty Goodwine helped print and deliver the shirts and joined the celebration at School 14.
“This event was a tremendous success and a wonderful display of district-wide collaboration,” said James Canfield, Troy Community School Principal. “It’s always inspiring to see our students’ creativity and leadership shine through projects that connect art, community, and teamwork.”
“Printmaking gives students a hands-on way to bring their ideas to life,” Stollenwerk said. “Seeing their excitement as they transform a design into a real product is an incredible experience—for them and for me.”
TCS staff hope to expand the program even further next year, strengthening connections across the district and continuing to celebrate the creativity of Troy’s youngest artists.