Mariah McKinney, a former Polk Central Elementary School student now at Polk County Middle School, earned first place in the local 2025-26 VFW Auxiliary’s Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest.
McKinney submitted her artwork in March while attending Polk Central, with contest results announced during the summer. She competed in the grades 3-5 category.
The annual contest began in 1979 and is designed to recognize young artists while encouraging patriotism among students.
McKinney created her entry while a student at Polk Central, where she worked with art teacher Michael Darpino.
Womack-Bradley VFW Post 10349 sponsored the local contest.
