Montgomery County Community College students Rose Harrington and Chase Ryan Schaffer stand with Dr. Patricia McEnery, Assistant Dean of Liberal Arts, as they accept awards for their submissions in the College’s 250th U.S. Anniversary student mural design and writing contests, respectively. Student Emiliano Rosado Rivera (top right) placed first in the Declarations of Independence Writing and Reels Contest. Montgomery County Community College’s A “More Perfect Union”: Voices of the American Past, Present, and Future, a 250th U.S. Anniversary project, has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Photo by Eric Devlin
As part of Montgomery County Community College’s A “More Perfect Union”: Voices of the American Past, Present, and Future, a 250th U.S. Anniversary project, three students were recently awarded for their winning entries in separate student writing and mural design contests.
Emiliano Rosado Rivera, who is pursuing a certificate in Medical Coding, placed first in the Declarations of Independence Writing and Reels Contest. Chase Ryan Schaffer, who is pursuing certificates in Medical Office Assistant and Medical Assisting, placed second in the contest. Meanwhile, Rose Harrington, a Fine Arts (A.F.A.) major, placed first for her submission for the E. Pluribus Unum (From the Many, One) Mural Design Contest.
Both contests are sponsored by the Division of Liberal Arts in collaboration with the Student Government Association. MCCC’s A “More Perfect Union”: Voices of the American Past, Present, and Future, a 250th U.S. Anniversary project, has been made possible in part by a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this event do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Declarations of Independence Writing & Reels Contest
The Declarations of Independence Writing & Reels contest welcomed written and video contributions from all MCCC students reflecting on their personal declarations of independence, highlighting moments of growth, challenge, and/or personal transformation.
“The winners of the ‘Declarations of Independence’ Writing & Reels Contest—Emiliano Rosado-Rivera and Chase Ryan Schaffer- offer inspiring, thoughtful and courageous reflections” said Dr. Suzanne del Gizzo, Dean of Liberal Arts, “that demonstrate the many meanings of independence in our public and personal lives.”
For his submission “A Personal Declaration of Independence,” Rivera, 31, of Hatboro, reflected on how becoming a dad changed him. He and his wife, Isabel Hernandez, have two sons, Zaiden and Jayce, who are 11 and 3 years old, respectively.
“Fatherhood did not give me the luxury of hesitation,” he wrote. “It gave me responsibility.”
The piece focuses on Rivera’s declaration to set a good example for his children and make the necessary sacrifices in life to help them thrive.
Rivera, who works in security at Jefferson Abington Hospital, said he likes to write and jumped at the opportunity to express himself.
“Becoming a winner is just phenomenal,” he said on winning the contest. “It feels great. I’m speechless.”
For his submission, “Freedom of Declaration,” Schaffer, 32, of Norristown, said his poem is about “finding authenticity.”
“It’s about who you truly are,” he said. “Your flaws and imperfections tell you who you really are.”
Rivera will receive a $250 prize for writing the top selection, while Schaffer will receive a $50 prize.
E Pluribus Unum (From the Many, One) Mural Design Contest
For this mural design contest, students were invited to submit a colorful mural design that reflects the theme of “From the Many, One.”
The winning design was painted by the entire MCCC community during paint-in events
held in conjunction with Student Government Association elections and then assembled
for the community at the Blue Bell Campus Spring Fling April 22.
This shared project celebrates the many voices that make up MCCC’s diverse community and emphasizes the importance of the arts to bring people together.
“We are so proud of the ‘E Pluribus Unum’ mural,” said del Gizzo. “The beautiful design is by student, Rose Harrington, and students across both campuses painted the mural, paint-by-numbers style over two weeks. It was truly an example of how out of many comes one."
Harrington, 20, of Conshohocken, said she was thrilled her design was selected. It depicts a colorful, diverse group of people. One person is holding a child, the second is seated in a wheelchair, the third is a person wearing a hijab, while a fourth person wears a vertically striped shirt and has two braids in their hair.
“E Pluribus Unum means from the many, one. So, I chose to focus on the many,” she said. “It features all sorts of people and vibrant colors. They all represent people from different walks of life, who come together to form geometric patterns. The stars and vines are similar to what you’d find on the side of a coin where you would read “E Pluribus Unum.’”
Harrington will receive a $250 prize for the winning mural design.