Jackson student honored for Missouri bicentennial poster design

Jackson High School junior Mia Foote was honored Tuesday for her poster design celebrating Missouri's bicentennial this year.

Foote was joined in the school's library by guests from the Missouri Bicentennial Commission, State Historical Society of Missouri, school staff, Foote's family and Jackson Mayor Dwain Hahs during a poster unveiling ceremony.

"I am very thankful for all the people that have been recognizing [the poster] and its such a neat experience to be able to be recognized for my art and my work," Foote said about being named a finalist.

Foote's winning poster design was among the best four in the state interpreting the theme "Sharing Missouri's Stories: Past, Present and Future."

She said she was inspired by the theme to depict a young girl reading books by past Missourians and to also show two Missouri women Foote finds inspiring, Josephine Baker and Laura Ingalls Wilder.

Mia Foote and Missouri bicentennial coordinator Michael Sweeney unveil Foote's winning poster during a ceremony Tuesday at Jackson High School in Jackson.Sarah Yenesel

Overall, her design illustrates influential Missourians of the past and how they can influence young people today, shown specifically through the eyes of a young girl. It also includes a depiction of the state with it's major roads and rivers, the St. Louis skyline and state icons.

The competition was open to all Missouri students in grades three to 12. There were 231 submissions from 45 different counties, according to bicentennial coordinator Micheal Sweeney, the state historical society.

Sweeney said while the bicentennial celebration highlights history, it also focuses on how the past will effect the future.

"This is one of those [projects] that particularly focuses on young people and getting them involved in thinking about that future," Sweeney said.

Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who is part of the Bicentennial Commission and a judge for the poster contest, could not attend the event in person, but congratulated Foote in a pre-recorded video.

"Your design shows aesthetic quality, originality and consideration of geographic and cultural diversity, as well as your interpretation of the contest theme," Kehoe said in the video to Foote. "By entering the poster contest, you have become an important part of the celebration of Missouri's 200th birthday. As March is Youth Art Month, it's a perfect time to celebrate your efforts in helping us commemorate our great state while also starting the new chapter of Missouri's unique history."

Foote's art teacher, Andrea Talley, said, "She developed a really unique idea, and I thought it was great." Talley mentioned Foote put lots of research into the project besides efforts into the design and technique.

"From her freshman year, she was just like a sponge. She absorbed the techniques and whatever it was, she just got it quick," Talley said. "And you could tell that she was one of those that could just take off with art ideas. And I always thought, 'Man, through the years, she is going to be something,' and she has. She has continued to develop every year."

Missouri 2021 is a statewide initiative of the State Historical Society of Missouri to promote a better understanding of Missouri and its regions, communities and people. The public can follow Missouri 2021 happenings at missouri2021.org and by following the bicentennial on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @missouri2021.