Young artists liven up Sprint phone books

Three winners who are chosen in a random drawing from among the student artists receive art kits.

By PAULETTE LASH RITCHIE

© St. Petersburg Times, published June 8, 2000

The Sprint Yellow Pages are chock-full of telephone numbers, advertisements and information about Citrus County businesses. But a flip through the local telephone book reveals something else, as well.

Scattered throughout the pages are little childish pictures depicting bears, flowers, butterflies -- you name it.

Each year, Sprint invites first- through third-grade students to submit drawings that will lighten up the Yellow Pages. The program is called "Creative Kids," and Sprint publishes as many drawings as possible.

To add to the fun, Sprint holds a random drawing and chooses three children as grand prize winners. Those winners receive an art kit and a certificate. Other participating students still have a chance of looking in the telephone book and seeing their drawings published.

The three grand winners for this year's Sprint Yellow Pages are Sarah Maier, a first-grade student from Hernando Elementary School; Jesse Nugent, a second-grade student from Pleasant Grove Elementary School; and Alissa Buckingham, who is in the third grade at Rock Crusher Elementary School.

Third-grade teacher Gerry Weaver, from Rock Crusher, said Alissa was very proud of herself for being chosen as a grand winner. "She was ecstatic," Weaver said. "This program allowed Alissa to show off her creative abilities."

Jesse's teacher at Pleasant Grove Elementary School, Carol Kusmaul, said her students think they're going to be famous, because everyone who opens the telephone book can see their artwork. "I think it's really a good way for the kids to get their art out into the community," she said. "It's a neat thing."

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