By By SPIROS GALLOS / Niles Daily Star
NILES - Sara Stratton received quite the unexpected gift after celebrating her 11th birthday in November when she learned she had won the first Holiday Art Contest sponsored by Great Lakes Capital Fund.
Stratton, who lives in Arbor Trails Apartments, 1615 N. 5th St., with her parents, Tye and Susan, won first prize in the nine to 18 years age division of the contest, which was open to children living in any of Great Lakes Capital Fund's over 200 properties.
Leslie Fabiano, Great Lakes Capital Fund assets manager, stopped by the clubhouse office of the apartment complex Monday to present Stratton with her artwork in a frame, a letter of recognition, and a prize of $100.
The company will use Stratton's art work for its holiday/note cards and Stratton's name and age will grace the back of every card.
Stratton said she never expected to win and when she was told she had won, it took her by surprise.
The piece, which she began working on as soon as she heard about the contest, took Stratton about two days to draw and color.
Stratton, who attends the fifth grade at Howard Elementary School, said she enjoys drawing in her free time and she would like to be an artist when she grows up.
Her favorite subject to draw is horses.
Tye, who works as the maintenance supervisor for Arbor Trails, said he was very proud of Sara's accomplishment.
Tye thinks Sara gets her artistic abilities from her mother, Susan, who Tye said is a good artist.
Arbor Trails Apartments manager Susan Fralick was very proud of Stratton when she heard the news one of her residents had won the contest.
Of the hundreds of hopeful artists who submitted their work, six hailed from the Arbor Trails Apartments complex.
The contest has done a lot to lift the spirits of Fralick, who said she was as excited about the contest as the children who entered work.
In recognition of Stratton's award, her framed art work will be on display in the clubhouse office for visitors to see.
Stratton already has a few plans for what she will do with her new found prize money, which include possibly buying a new coat, some video games, or a few art supplies.
Stratton was excited also because it marked the first time she had ever had a $100 bill to her name.
When next year's contest rolls around, Stratton plans to enter and possibly win two years in a row.