The Pennfield School is proud to celebrate our 3rd grade and 8th grade artists, as well as our 7th grade writers, for their outstanding submissions to this year’s Aquidneck Land Trust Art and Writing Contest. This year, the annual competition asked students to reflect on their favorite Aquidneck Island vistas and consider how these landscapes are impacted by environmental change.
Our 8th grade artists painted beloved local scenes and incorporated a collage element to highlight the environmental issues affecting their chosen locations. Meanwhile, 3rd grade artists explored themes of sustainability, climate change, and human impact by decorating their vistas with collaged frames that included collected beach and campus debris—authentic Aquidneck refuse gathered in collaboration with our art and sustainability teachers.
Our 7th grade students crafted thoughtful reflections on this year’s theme through their writing. They created a journal entry describing their experience in a favorite location and then turned their writing into a piece of poetry. One of our students received 2nd place in the 5th-8th grade writing category for their compelling piece, included her for you to enjoy.
Several Pennfield students were honored for their outstanding contributions during a special ceremony at the Newport Art Museum on January 29. Their work, along with all contest submissions, is currently on display at the Newport Art Museum through April 27. We encourage everyone to visit and experience the incredible talent and environmental awareness showcased by young artists and writers across Aquidneck Island.
We are incredibly proud of our students for using their artistic and literary talents to highlight the beauty of our local landscapes and the environmental challenges they face. Congratulations to all!
Train Tracks on the Bay at Sunrise
2nd place (5-8 grade writing contest)
I walk down to the train tracks on Narragansett Bay. I walk around a stone wall then I walk around a big rock. I am eager to see the view. I realise how fast the sun seems to be rising so I walk a little faster. Then I see the end of the road where the water lays. I walk a little further and I see the bench next to the cliff which leads to the water.
I sit on the bench and admire the beautiful world before me. I feel the wood underneath me. I glance at my watch and the time is only 6:07 a.m. I see the colors of the sky becoming brighter with every passing minute. The pigmentation of the sky above the water reminds me of a unicorn or cotton candy. I hear birds chirping, and the water colliding with rocks; all is calm. I look to the left and see train tracks and trees that seem to go on for miles and miles maybe even forever. I close my eyes and just breathe. I reflect on my previous days, the highs and the lows, the ups and downs. I am nervous that if this bench is not cared for it might not be here soon. This would make me very sad because I am very fond of this place. I slowly start to open my eyes and notice my surroundings once again. I try to savor the last few moments I have before a busy day. I notice that the air smells salty and feels brisk. I then realize that the sun has fully risen and I check my watch. The time is already 6:45 a.m. I immediately check my phone and realize my mom is flooding me with texts (I must have forgotten to take my phone off silent).
I started to run back to the house and take a quick look back at the amazing world that I am fortunate enough to live in.
The bench on the bay
I love the way the water looks
When the sun is illuminating the sky
I try to close my eyes and relax
I love the sun rise
Nothing else seems to matter
There is no banging or clatter
I am happy.
Newport Harbor and Bridge
2nd place (K-4)
Beach View of St. George’s School
2nd place (5-8)
Sandy Point Beach
3rd place (5-8)
Purgatory Chasm, Middletown RI
Honorable Mention (5-8)