Art teacher Martha Ortman said she entered Park students currently enrolled in an art class to take part in the ‘What does Aging Mean to You?’ contest that brought attention to positive aspects of aging.

“I got an email from this woman that works at ‘Help At Your Door’, a nonprofit organization that helps the elderly and disabled stay independent for as long as possible,” Ortman said. “I had all of my digital photo class create an aging project in photoshop and then I chose the top six to enter for the competition.”

Junior Kate Brinkman said she enjoyed viewing the way others illustrated aging, the theme of this years contest.

“I thought it was a cool experience and I got to see other people’s work and other people’s take on it. It was a really cool question like ‘what does aging mean to you’,” said Brinkman. “I thought that was something cool to think about.”

Ortman said she would consider partaking in this event in the coming years because of the message the contest offered.

“If they offer (the contest) again I would do it because I think it is valuable and I would extend it to if I am teaching drawing and painting next year,” said Ortman. “I think that it is an important topic that is viewed in a negative way and this is to promote aging in a positive way.”

Senior Amanda Erdmann said she faced adversities because her style of art was different from what was being asked.

“(It) was an interesting question to try to portray especially since I don’t like using people in my art. It was a challenge to try to portray without using people,” said Erdmann.

Erdmann said she is content with what place she earned.

“I won second place. I was not expecting it, but I’m very happy about that,” said Erdmann.

According to Ortman, students will participate in Metro West Conference Visual Art Exhibition from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m on May 16 at Normandale Community College.