Statewide art competition open to Georgia students

The excitement is building as the official homecoming of the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) draws near and plans for the celebration are in full swing. Over ten years of hard work to bring the newly converted Guided Missile Submarine to Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay will culminate in a grand ceremony to be held March 28, 2008.

Governor Sonny Perdue and the USS Georgia Return to Service Committee are proud to announce a statewide art competition for Georgia students. The Student Art Competition is presented in recognition of the USS Georgia's arrival to her permanent station, Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay. From Georgia's beautiful coast through the mysterious swampland of the Okefenoke across the state to her amazing red clay plains, toward the fertile middle Georgia farmlands northward into the rolling piedmont hills cradling our metropolitan capital city on to the grand gateway of Georgia's Blue Ridge Mountains…far and wide across the state, students from kindergarten through twelfth grade are invited to submit their original artwork representing the official theme "Bringing the USS Georgia Home: Celebrating Georgia's Ambassadors for Peace."

All entries must be twodimensional, no larger than 16 by 20 inches, and strictly adhere to the guidelines set by the Art Competition Committee available through individual Georgia School Systems or for private and home schooled children through Chairman Dean Slusser at dslusser@camden.k12.ga.us. Local finalists, chosen and submitted by each school system or school association, must be received for the statewide competition no later than 5:00 PM, Wednesday, March 12, 2008. Entries should be sent to St. Marys Downtown Development Authority, Attention: Alyce Thornhill, 400 Osborne Street, St. Marys, Georgia 31558 for judging March 14, 2008.

A panel of noted judges will select the top entries in each of the three classifications: Elementary, Middle and High School artist, as well as the prestigious "Captain's Choice" award, which will be selected by the Commanding Officer of the USS Georgia. In addition to award packages for the most impressive artwork in each category, each of the winning artists will be recognized during the USS Georgia Return to Service Ceremony, Friday, March 28, 2008. Award winning entries will be featured in a series of exhibits and press releases across the state. The "Captain's Choice" will be displayed aboard the USS Georgia, traveling the world with her officers and crew.

Students statewide are encouraged to participate in this history making celebration "Bringing the USS Georgia Home". To discover the exciting past, present and future of the USS Georgia (SSGN 729) take a look at the website www.ussgeorgia.org. For further information concerning the USS Georgia Statewide Art Competition contact Chairman Dean Slusser at 912-729-7463 or via email at dslusser@camden. k12.ga.us.