Whiz Kid: Art Impacts Life for Kirkwood Essay Winner

It came as a surprise to seventh-grader Claire Mullen that her essay about the impact art has had on her life earned her the title of the state winner of the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education Essay Contest.

"I was so shocked; I had no idea," Mullen, a seventh-grader at North Kirkwood Middle School said. The artist and essayist learned about the news when she was brought on the morning announcements. "I was sitting there, and they started to tell me about how I won," Mullen said. "I was so surprised."

Mullen was recognized at the Fine Arts Education Day Awards Ceremony earlier this month at State Capitol in Jefferson City, where she read her essay. Her prize also included a $50 check for herself and a $50 check for her art, Leigh Mincks, to use in the classroom.

But maybe it shouldn't have come as too much of a surprise to Mullen that her essay garnered the high honor among students in grades 6-8. After all, the middle schooler arrived at school at 6 a.m. for a week to work on the piece about how her dad helped her with art as a child and supported her efforts. She also wrote about how she was largerly influenced by writing and literature.

"I really like to draw organically, like plant lifes and drawing animals and perspective drawing," said Mullen, who plans to pursue art in high school.

Mullen's favorite painting is Starry Night by Vincent Van Gogh, which she produced a replica of in art class. The young artist enjoys reading and writing short stories with elements of mystery.