Gwinnett Daily Post

LAWRENCEVILLE -- Carolyn Phung, a fourth-grade student from Jenkins Elementary in Lawrenceville has been named a national winner in an art contest from McGraw Hill Education.

Phung is one of 12 winners, two from each grade K-5, of a math student art contest sponsored by the textbook and coursework company.

The contest is designed to inspire students' passion for math and other science, technology and engineering fields. The contest challenged students to illustrate what math means to them through sculpture, drawing, painting and photography.

An expert panel of judges, including artists, educators and journalists, selected Phung's artwork out of more than 2,400 entries submitted from young artists across the nation.

To display her passion for math, Phung created a painting displaying shape and color symmetry.

Her artwork will be featured prominently in the new McGraw-Hill My Math course materials.

Jenkins Elementary also received $15,000 in classroom prizes through the support of sponsors.Students learn danger of texting and driving

SUWANEE -- Allstate Agent Diane Mansolillo visited Peachtree Ridge High School on March 6 to talk about the dangers of texting and driving through Allstate's "X the TXT" campaign.

Allstate collected 600 thumbprints on a giant "X the TXT" banner that will remain at the school as students, faculty and parents pledged not to text and drive.

Students and others in attendance listened to facts and stats about texting while driving. They also watched a DVD that discouraged the practice.

A representative from MADD also made a short presentation at the event. For more information about "X the TXT" visit www.facebook.com/thumbsuppledge.

Frank Reddy writes about education. Good News from Schools appears in the Sunday edition of the Daily Post.