Sacred Heart student Olivia Colombo takes first place in Polar Event Christmas mural competition

KINGSTON, Mass. - Jan. 6, 2015 - PRLog -- Kingston resident and Sacred Heart School eighth grader Olivia Colombo delivered some extra Christmas cheer to her school, as she won top prize in the Polar Express event sponsored by the Rotary Club of Plymouth, for the children and families of the South Shore.

The Polar Express is a much-loved Christmas classic written by author Chris Van Allsburg.  The story is about a young boy that boards a train, the 'Polar Express,' for a trip to the North Pole.  To capture the magical spirit of the book and intrigue of the children riding the Polar Express, the Plymouth Rotary Club transforms the Kingston Train station boarding platform with holiday decorations and Christmas-themed displays.

This year, in an effort to engage area schools in the event, the Rotary invited Plymouth North, Plymouth South, and Sacred Heart School students to participate in a challenge to create mural-sized art displays that captured the spirit and themes in Van Allsburg's book.

The schools were allowed a budget of up to $300 to develop a mural and display.  The murals were used to cover existing MBTA platform signs and add to the ambiance of the 'Polar Express Train Station'.

Winner of the competition was Sacred Heart's Olivia Colombo '19 (Kingston,) who, with the under the guidance of  art teacher Julie Trahan, developed a concept, and then crafted a 16.5 Ft (W) x 7 Ft (H) mural for the event.  She used three separate pieces of heavy duty canvas to create a 3-D mountain effect that featured the powerful Polar Express winding through the mountain pass.  Her mural will also be used in future Polar Express events by the Rotary Club.

An accomplished artist and honor roll student, Olivia Colombo is president of the Sacred Heart Art Club and has participated in several art shows and competitions on the South Shore.

More than 1200 area families participated in the Polar Express event.

In appreciation for Colmobo’s efforts in creating the Sacred Heart entry in the competition, Plymouth Rotary Club President Jim Finucane has invited her to attend a meeting where she will be recognized by the membership.

Pamela Desmarais, President of Sacred Heart School, said, “We are all so proud of Olivia for creating this beautiful mural, which is so beautiful and expressive. She is such a talented student and we are so pleased that her good work has earned her, and our school, this recognition.”

About Sacred Heart School

Sacred Heart is a private, co-educational Catholic school system, which provides educational opportunities for students throughout southeastern Massachusetts and Cape Cod, from preschool through grade 12.  As a sponsored ministry of the Sisters of Divine Providence, Sacred Heart School strives to inspire minds, define character and encourage responsible leadership through a curriculum that prepares students to pursue knowledge throughout their lives. The school provides students with a strong liberal arts curriculum, and integrates technology into the hands of students with its One to One iPad Program. Sacred Heart also offers extensive athletic, arts and extra-curricular activities for students.  Founded in 1947, the school underwent a governance change in July 2011, incorporating the Sacred Heart Schools in Kingston, MA as Sacred Heart School System, Inc. This new structure was implemented to assure the continuation of academic excellence of the Sacred Heart Schools for the future, as well as the Catholic mission and the religious community traditions. The school system serves students on a beautiful, expansive campus on Route 80 that includes three school buildings, a central administrative office, and athletic fields and facilities. Sacred Heart School welcomes students of all faiths and diverse backgrounds. The school prides itself in a commitment to developing the whole student, offering an independent school atmosphere and top-tier academics. Pamela Desmarais serves as the school’s President. The Sacred Heart campus is located at 251-399 Bishops Highway, Kingston, MA 02364. For additional information about the school, please visit www.sacredheartkingston.com or call 781-585-7511.

Photo caption: Shown here is the mural coverage that Olivia Colombo used to cover the platform at the T station. This is the mural that won the top prize.