Desert Messenger

May 15, 2019 www.DesertMessenger.com 3 Winner of Food Bank Writing Contest! DATES: DEADLINE: Wed. June 12 June 5 Wed. July 10 July 3 Wed. Aug. 7 July 31 Desert Messenger Summer Publishing Schedule Call 928-916-4235 E-mail: Editor@DesertMessenger.com SPECIAL SUMMER EDITIONS: John T. Bryant Won The Food Bank Writing Contest This Month! Quartzsite is a traveler's town that many pass through. My personal experience is that I arrived on foot backpacking across the country. I was told of the food bank, a resource when I arrived, as I live a humble life. I walked in and was received with smiles. Smiles are contagious, folks! My Thursday mornings are spent walking to visit the food bank. As you open the door, you feel the comfort, love, and compassion. Once I was doing my weekly visit, I was deep in my head dealing with deception, and not expressing any of this outward. A lad who volunteers walks in and just gives me a hug! Talk about feeling loved!! That's the food bank, a generous smile, a sincere empathy to our con- cerns and a realization we need to be healthy. Not only on the inside by food, but with fellowship. Most folks see my humble appearance and look away and completely ignore my existence. But I walk into the food bank with arms wide open. We all lose focus and deal with our own inner demons and negativity of life. We go to the food bank as a resource for food to survive. There is no judgment, only a concern for your well-being. Get Healthy!! I know my fi rst visit needing to ask for food I felt humility and was re- ceived with love and compassion. I greatly give thanks and prayers to each volunteer for feeding my mind, body, and soul. You encouraged me to make Quartzsite my home with love and thanks. John T. Bryant III WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Congressman Paul A. Gosar, D.D.S. (AZ-04) hosted the 2019 Congressional Art Contest Award Ceremony and Recep- tion in Wickenburg, Arizona. Local high school students displayed their artwork for the public. Awards and scholarships were presented for the winning pieces of art. The winner of the online, public contest known as the "People's Art Choice Awards" was also recognized with an award. "The Congressional Art Competition is a wonderful event to allow stu- dents to share their talents with the community," said Congressman Gosar. "Every year I'm inspired by the talent and creativity displayed in the artwork submissions from Arizona high school students. As always, I'm thankful for the incredible teachers who encourage their students to express themselves through art." Congressional art competition winners • LEFT: 1st Place: "The Contor- tionist" by Emma Patterson. 11th grade at Lake Havasu High School • 2nd Place: "Birb Birb" by Rachael May. 12th grade at Lee Williams High School in Kingman • 3rd Place: "Wanderer" by Angel Tewawina. 10th grade at Mingus Union High School in Cottonwood • Honorable Mention: "Western Valley" by Camber Robles. 10th grade at Lee Williams High School in Kingman • People's Choice: "Roman Nose" by Emma Vervoorn. 11th grade at Prescott High School. 81 pieces were submitted for the contest and over 1,080 ballots were cast in the online competition.

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