Hanover student wins statewide ‘Thank a Teacher’ art contest

HANOVER COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) — A Hanover student has taken the top spot in a statewide teacher appreciation art contest for young artists across Virginia -- and thousands will soon be able to see her artwork on special stationery.

Sponsored by the Virginia Lottery, the 9th annual "Thank a Teacher" art contest on Wednesday, March 25, crowned ninth-grader Smera Raj at Atlee High School in Hanover as one of the three winners this year.

"I'm really surprised. I did not know about this," Raj said during the surprise presentation on Wednesday. "I wanted to show how much I appreciate teachers and how much I appreciate their work in teaching me and guiding me through my darker times and helping me find a path through."

This year's competition -- with judges from the Virginia Art Education Association, the Virginia School Board Association and the Virginia Lottery Super Teacher -- selected three winners representing elementary, middle and high schools out of over 500 entries.

(Paul Nevadomski/8News)

Raj's winning artwork depicts a teacher as a guiding light, leading students on boats through the night. She won in the high school category.

The winner's artwork will be featured on thank-you notes distributed to thousands of teachers across Virginia during National Teacher Appreciation Week from May 4 through May 8.

Raj will receive a $200 gift card, and Atlee High School will receive a $2,000 credit from The Supply Room for its art department.

"Thank a Teacher" is a joint statewide campaign between the Virginia Lottery, The Supply Room, Brightstar Lottery and NeoPollard Interactive. All Virginia Lottery profits go toward K-12 public education in Virginia. Last year, Hanover County received over $8 million in lottery funds.

For more information, visit the Virginia Lottery winners.