Ballard Art Teacher Valeri Rose Borstelmann and the 12 students who participated in the project stand before their entry in the Embracing Our Differences art exhibit.

(SARASOTA, FL - April 27, 2007) All 550 students and 75 staff members from Ballard Elementary Global Studies Magnet School made a special trip to the Sarasota Bayfront on Friday, April 27, to celebrate the school's inclusion in the area's Embracing Our Differences art exhibit.

A colorful and thought-provoking piece of art created by Ballard students and Ballard Art Teacher Valeri Rose Borstelmann was prominently displayed on a large canvas poster at the exhibit along side other works submitted by professional artists, art students and school children from all over Florida's Gulf Coast.

While close to 1,000 submissions were received for the exhibit, only 39 were chosen for display along the Sarasota Bayfront during the month of April. The purpose of the Embracing Our Differences exhibit is to demonstrate how embracing diversity enriches our lives, enhances the human experience and expands respect for freedom.

“We're all ecstatic,” said Ballard Principal Nan Rankin as she stood in the midst of her students and staff not far from Ballard's entry. “We brought all the students and staff because we really believe we are a school family and the theme of diversity and inclusion really defines who we are as a school.”

The entry submitted by Ballard was simply titled Diversity and consisted of a collage of self portraits created by 12 different students from a variety of ethnic backgrounds.

“I took self portraits made by the students and cut them each into four different pieces,” Valeri Rose Borstelmann said. “I then reassembled the pieces to form three new faces that were a combination of all of the kids.”

Ballard students examine an entry from
Bayshore High student Charlotte Gent.

The 12 students who had portions of their portraits included in the exhibit were: Kalia Buechner, Elliot Walton, Shanice Nelson, Tyler Cobb, Aslene Lamm, Earis Eubanks, Uriel Perez, Alex Turner, Martin Centeno, Neftaly Montero, Adrianna Yanez-Perez and Douglas Nicaragua.

“It's exciting to see it because I helped make this picture,” said third-grader Tyler Cobb.

Stanford Group Company of Longboat Key sponsored Ballard's entry in the exhibit. Stanford Managing Director Chuck Vollmer and Financial Advisor Susan Atherton were on hand Friday to meet the students and staff from Ballard to congratulate them on their creative contribution to the Embracing Our Differences project.

Ballard students and staff arrive at the
Sarasota Bayfront.

Ballard's entry in the exhibit wasn't the only submission accepted from the Manatee County School District. The other entries accepted included:

It's All Inside by Cayman Trudell and Victoria Brosilow, 7th Grade, Haile Middle School. Teacher: Dana Sackett. Principal: Janet Kerley.

In the End by Charlotte Gent, 12th Grade, Bayshore High School. Art Teacher: Kathy Cocciolone. Principal: David Underhill.

Hands of Peace by Todd Wennberg, 10th Grade, Bayshore High School. Art Teacher: Kathy Cocciolone Principal: David Underhill.

Students check out an entry by Haile Middle students Cayman Trudell and Victoria Brosilow.