EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Alivia Larkin, a ninth grader at Williamston High School, has won the Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center's annual Holiday Card Contest.
The winning design was hand-drawn and features three penguins — one holding a gift, one holding a candy cane and one holding the Spartan block S.
"I heard about the contest from my art teacher," said Larkin, who was notified Nov. 18. "As for the design, I like candy canes and gifts during Christmas time and the penguins just kind of happened."
In September, local school districts were contacted and asked to participate in this year's contest. Williamston High School art teacher Carrie Stapleton agreed to participate, offering extra credit to students who submitted a design. Larkin is one of Stapleton's students.
The Kellogg Center's Holiday Card Contest originated in 1993 with MSU students submitting the designs. In 2000, the contest expanded to include Lansing-area students.
Kellogg Center department leaders select the contest winner each year based on creativity and originality. Contest winners receive $100 and get their card design framed and hung in the Kellogg Center's lobby throughout the holiday season. Approximately 2,000 cards, displaying Larkin's design, will be sent to various MSU departments, The State Room Restaurant guests and community members.
"The contest is really intended to bring the community together and spread some goodwill during the holiday season," said Joel Heberlein, Spartan Hospitality Group director and contest creator. "We received 33 great entries this year. Looking through them was a great way to kick off the season."
The Kellogg Hotel & Conference Center is a unit of the Division of Residential and Hospitality Services.
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