As Cookie Cooreman put it, young artists and their parents filled the Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center’s main building last Wednesday for two reasons.
“First of all, we are honoring our nation’s 250th anniversary, and second because this community, our schools, have some amazing kids,” Cooreman said in welcoming everyone who attended the 250th Anniversary of America Youth Poster Contest. “There is so much talent everywhere, and we are so fortunate to have them honor us with their artwork to help us promote this special anniversary.”
Cooreman, the organizer of the contest, went on to share some of the history of the museum — a legacy that dates back to 1970 when Mary Lou Ludeman came up with the idea of preserving the history in the community in which she grew up.
“In 1976, 2.5 acres of land where we are tonight was donated, with a boxcar being the first museum building,” Cooreman said. “In 1980, a barn was donated and moved onto the site; it was destroyed in a windstorm and replaced with a new barn — the barn you see here today.”
Today, 18 buildings showcase the community’s rich history — reminders of residents’ youth and of Tracy treasures — through photos, signs and artifacts that are on display. And patriotism is also on display through the veterans’ memorial and 49 American flags that greet visitors. The patriotism and American pride to which Cooreman was referring was heightened even more last week when the winners of the poster contest were revealed by museum Executive Director Amy Foster.
“They are our future leaders,” said Cooreman. “For the artwork they have produced to show here at the Wheels Across the Prairie Heritage Center. There were so many really great posters.”
The winners of the contest, who each received Subway gift cards or cash prizes, were: Grades 4-6 — Preslee Lau (first place); Jane Law (second place); Laura Kor (third place); Royston Rohlik, Amelia Moua and Chija Yang (honorable mention). Grades 7-9 — Keiana Xiong (first place); Benny Ortiz (second place); Anjay Vang (third place); Abby Yang; Unisia Moua, Jane Quist (honorable mention). Grades 10-12 — Natalie Illg (first place); Emma Carter (second place); Marcus Vue (third place); Lily Khang, Jennifer Vasquez, Gracelynn Struchen (honorable mention).
“This whole project was about these young people and what they contribute in our community,” Cooreman said. “There were 91 posters submitted, and there were so many that were so good; we started out with nine and decided we needed to recognize nine more!”
