Garfield ES Circus Artist Wins a Trip to Monaco
Garfield Elementary School third grader Zakiya Roberson, 8, displays her drawing of a circus clown that won first place in a poster contest through the Alliance Francaise de Washington. | Photo by Fred Lewis
Sophie Mededovic, director of the Alliance Francaise de Washington, receives a round of applause Oct. 22 from Garfield Elementary School third graders. | Photo by Fred Lewis
Alice Rousie, a French teacher with the Alliance Francaise de Washington, quizzes third graders at Garfield Elementary on vocabulary Oct. 22. | Photo by Fred Lewis
Zakiya Roberson is going to Monaco!
The Garfield Elementary School third grader’s circus poster, a whimsical drawing of a clown holding colorful balloons with outstretched arms, won a contest last week through the Alliance Francaise de Washington, the organization that provides French language and culture instruction at five high-need DC Public Schools.
As a reward for her artistic vision and skill, Roberson and a family member will travel to Monaco and serve as the sole United States representative in the Junior Jury at the 35th Monte Carlo International Circus Festival in January.
“I feel like … I feel nervous,” said Roberson, 8, on Friday after learning that her drawing had won the contest and the weeklong, all-expenses-paid trip. “I knew [her drawing concept] would be a good idea. I like drawing. That’s my favorite activity.”
Roberson learned of the honor shortly after French class. Representatives from the Alliance Francaise de Washington visited her class and students from the room across the hall filed in to share in the excitement.
As cameras snapped and classmates looked on Sophie Mededovic, director of the Alliance, announced that 127 students from Garfield, Orr and Randle Highlands elementary schools had submitted art for the contest from Sept. 9 to Oct. 13. Ten students were named finalists and seven were from Garfield.
When Mededovic named Roberson the winner, the young girl sat stunned at her table near the front of the classroom as her classmates, teacher and Principal Angela Tilghman applauded. As the applause subsided and refreshments were served, Roberson said she’s excited; she’s never been on a trip like this before.
“I went to a place where it snows out every day – New Jersey,” she said, describing the last trip she took with her family.
The trip will include a circus performance of a lifetime with some of the greatest circus acts in the world, including trapeze artists, clowns and white tigers. Roberson will serve with seven other children on the junior jury, which will watch the performances and give feedback.
During the week, Roberson will be immersed in French language and culture (Monaco is its own country, but French is the official language).
Alice Rousie, a French teacher with the Alliance, said the experience will enhance Roberson’s classroom experience, building on her knowledge of the language and what she learns of other cultures worldwide that speak French.
“They get to express themselves in another language and learn that other cultures speak other languages. Understanding that concept is a huge opening to a whole new world,” said Rousie, who also has taught French at Ketcham and River Terrace elementary schools. “Foreign language makes them think, ‘What else is out there?’”
Principal Tilghman said foreign language instruction helps prepare students for middle school, high school and more advanced study.
“For me, it’s important even in early childhood education – the younger they are the more receptive they are,” she said.
As for the contest, she said, “It shows hard work can pay off.”
WTOP’s Kate Ryan visits Garfield Elementary for award announcement, interviews winning third-grader.
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