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For Emily Alexandra Winkel, the choice to
immortalize Roberto Espinoza on canvas for a Hispanic heritage art
competition was a simple one.
After all, Espinoza, a Mexican-American
farmworker who has been her family's loyal friend and her father's
right-hand man for nearly 15 years, is special to her.
When her father broke his foot and
couldn't manage the apple and cherry orchards, Espinoza held things
together for the entire summer. He also serves as her mentor, teaching her
to be honest when she's made a mistake and to work hard to earn what she
desires.
The Hartford, Mich., 13-year-old captured
her admiration for Espinoza on canvas with a watercolor portrait of him.
Her entry, "Right-Hand Man" won first place in the Ford Motor Co.
Fund/Detroit News Newspapers in Education 2005 Art & Essay Contest, and
went on to win the Ford Motor Co. Fund/Hispanic Heritage National Art &
Essay Competition.
"It was really surprising," says Winkel of
taking the top spots. "I didn't really expect to win. I just like to draw."
Winkel spent three weeks painting before
submitting her artwork in October. She competed against 234 Michigan
artists in grades four to eight, and hundreds of other students nationally.
"Emily did an astonishing job," says
Jeanette Stump, assistant manager for Partnership Programs Detroit News
Newspapers in Education, who started the art competition six years ago when
Ford agreed to sponsor it. Winkel, who attends Hartford Middle School, won
a $2,250 savings bond for the Michigan competition and a $2,500 savings
bond for the national contest.
She and other Michigan winners also spent
three days touring Metro Detroit sites, including Greenfield Village and
the Ford River Rouge Plant.
"This is so fun and exciting," Winkel
says. "I've known Robert all my life. He's the person who has influenced me
the most, and he's so proud that I chose to paint him."
Detroit News
Detroit Free Press
Online Edition
October 2005
State Competition
_________________
 Ford Motor Company Fund and The Detroit
News Newspapers in Education announce winners of the 2005 Hispanic Heritage
Local Art and Essay Contest On Saturday, October 29, distinguished
Hispanic artists Nora Chapa Mendoza, Andrea Lozano and Mary Laredo Herbeck,
selected four winners and three special recognitions from a field of more
than 234 student entries from across Michigan in the Ford Motor
Company Fund/The Detroit News Newspapers in Education 2005 Hispanic Heritage
Local Art and Essay Contest. Students had been asked to research a person of
Hispanic descent that has made a significant contribution to the community or
their life. Then, students were asked to create a portrait of this individual
and write a brief composition about their subject describing why they chose
this person. The winners were chosen based on originality, creativity,
interpretation of theme and design and appropriateness for grade level. The
winners are:
FIRST PLACE- $2,250 U. S. Savings Bond, Ford Hispanic
Heritage Award and Certificate of Merit
This 1st place winner will now be entered in the
National Competition of the 2005 Ford Hispanic Heritage Art and Essay Contest
"Right Hand Man"
by Emily Winkel - Grade 8
Hartford Middle School, Hartford,
Teacher: Mrs. Donna Klapp
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far
away. Without Roberto, Dad would have a hard time taking care of
the apple orchard and tart cherries that we’ve grown
for years, and Dad gives Roberto his job. They’re
dependent on each other; such friends are difficult to come by.