A McClure Junior High student’s poster representing art as the way to the future was recognized with an honorable mention in the 25th annual Illinois Arts Education Week.

Paige Whitlock, 12, of Western Springs was awarded one of nine honorable mentions for her poster promoting the March 11 to 17 week’s theme “Shaping the Future With the Arts.” She received an award at the annual Illinois Alliance for Arts Education Service Recognition Award ceremony Tuesday, at the Chicago Art Institute.

Whitlock, who is in the seventh grade, said her art teacher, Caitlin O’Mahoney, encouraged her class to enter the contest.

“I decided to get the kids involved in poster contests. It’s nice for kids who are into art and like to take it home with them,” O’Mahoney said. “It’s a great opportunity. Paige is a fabulous artist and was interested in it.”

Whitlock said once she had the option of creating and submitting the poster, she was excited to transfer her ideas onto paper.

“I was thinking about how children who express themselves with art make the future a brighter place,” she said.

Her poster features everything from easels to slogans stating “Planning for a bright future.”

“I’m very excited for Paige,” O’Mahoney said. “She’s a great girl and deserves recognition.” O’Mahoney said about 15 to 20 of her sixth- to eighth-grade students entered the contest and she hopes to present them with another opportunity soon.

“Fine arts are a key component of a student’s education and development,” according to an IAAE news release. “It’s important that students learn the language of the arts, understand how works of art are produced, and understand the role of the arts in civilization, past and present.”