By Debbie Adams
Bonsack Elementary fifth grader Lylah Parker has won first place (statewide) in the SERCAP
“Water is Life” art contest. SERCAP (Southeast Rural Community Assistance Project) is a non-
profit organization which focuses on “improved quality of life for low-income individuals by
promoting affordable water and wastewater facilities, community development, environmental
health, and economic self-sufficiency.”
Elementary fifth grader Lylah Parker placed first in the state of Virginia in the SERCAP “Water
is Life!” art contest. She is shown with her art teacher, Joe Carnes (on left) and SERCAP
Virginia State Lead Joey Hiner. (photo by Debbie Adams)
This year the organization invited students in grades 3-5 to submit original artwork representing
the topic “Water is Life!” SERCAP’s hope is that the art contest offers one way for youth to get
involved in environmental issues. One winner was selected from each of the seven states
participating in the program, Virginia, Delaware, Maryland, North and South Carolina, Georgia,
and Florida.
Art teacher Joe Carnes shared information he had received on the contest with his students at
Bonsack in case they wanted to participate. Lylah thought it “sounded like fun.”
She worked on the project independently at home and her family mailed her entry to SERCAP.
She created a beautiful painting of a lake and its inhabitants surrounded by mountains, using
acrylics, glitter paint, ink, and some paper elements on canvas. She sketched out the scene,
colored it, and then painted it. This is the first art contest she has entered.
Carnes was notified last week that Lylah was the statewide winner. On February 13, SERCAP
Virginia State Lead Joey Hiner surprised her at Bonsack with a certificate and a $100 gift card
for her accomplishments.
Carnes teaches Lylah after school in the Roanoke County Schools Gifted Art program at
Bonsack in addition to regular art classes during the school day. He says she is a “shining star”
artist among a host of talented youngsters.
Lylah says she has always loved art and has “tons of art supplies.” She was inspired by her aunt,
who is also an artist.
The elements of her painting were motivated by the water paintings created by her aunt and by
the time her family spends at the lake and camping.
Her painting will be on display at the Hotel Roanoke during the annual SERCAP “Water is
Life!” Reception and Banquet event on April 4.
Lylah’s parents are Johnathan Parker and Mary Arnold.
Cyndi Wood of SERCAP facilitated the art contest. For more information on SERCAP, visit the
website at https://sercap.org/.
