Argue for your limitations and you get to keep them.” –Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear Elmer’s winning submission for the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust Art Contest. 66 Toombs County Magazine He was in the 5th grade before he felt he had some grasp on the English language. That was also the year Elmer won the Principal’s Art Award, and his drawing of a pot of flowers was displayed for all his peers to see. But as his English improved, Elmer recognized that language was not his only voice. “Art was a way for me to speak. It was a way for me to relate to others my feelings, my culture, and showing that I had value,” said Elmer. After the Principal’s Award, he began drawing even more. In 2012, and in 7th grade, he submitted an entry into the Georgia Commission on the Holocaust Writing, Music, & Art Contest and won 1st place in the Middle School Art Division for his sculpture entitled Hope for Freedom. Elmer still had not taken art classes in school. The reason was simply because this young man who couldn’t speak one word of English four years earlier was now in the LEAP program. Elmer placed first once again in middle school for his sculpture entitled Innocence in 2013. He would place three more times in high school winning 2nd for his work With Faith Alone in 2014; 1st place in 2015 for The Broken Pieces; and Honorable Mention for Faith Against Oppression 2017, his final year of high school. Elmer was finally able to take art his freshman year of high school. Erin Banks, VCHS Art Teacher, immediately recognized his natural talent. Those early years of working in Play-Doh turned into incredible award-winning clay sculptures. He personalized a mural of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper with a modern cityscape on the art room wall. Other awards Elmer received during high school include: Governor’s Honors Program (2016); Visual Arts Major & Gallery for State (11th grade); Georgia MAW Design Contest, Honorable Mention; published in Teen-Ink; One Act Play Region Competition-Best Actor and All-star Cast (grades 10 & 1l) Regional and State; Altama Art Gallery- 1st Place and two Best of Show; 93rd Scholastic Art & Writing Award- Silver Key; Oak Park Logo Contest-1st Place; and Principal’s Art Award (12th grade). Every four years Elmer and his family return to Mexico to visit his grandmother, Eva Salazar. “She used to take care of me when I was little,” said Elmer. When he looks for inspiration, he thinks about her and uses that longing to see her as a muse. “She is coming to the United States for the first time to attend my graduation. I’m so excited.” In the fall, Elmer will attend Georgia Tech where he was awarded a scholarship for the Industrial Design Program. I am certain his parents, Jose and Eyra Ivon, are very proud of their son, and his community is pretty proud of him, too. “On rare occasions, I encounter students who are extraordinary examples of people who unselfishly want to serve classmates and others for the betterment of our schools and community. These are words that exemplify Elmer Ivon. He excels in the classroom, he works well with others and is loved by his peers. He is always willing to lend a helping hand when needed. And to top it off, Elmer is extremely gifted in art. I know that as an educator it is our job to inspire, but I feel that I have learned so much more from him than he from me. Our world is better because of this young man. I cannot wait to see how God uses him in the future.” –Anna Helms, VCHS Business Teacher
20204RD
To see the actual publication please follow the link above