In celebration of Arlington’s 150th anniversary, young readers across the city are invited to pick up a special piece of history: limited-edition bookmarks designed by local sixth-grade students. These bookmarks are available for free at all seven branches of the Arlington Public Library.

The designs were the result of the Arlington150 Bookmark Contest, which saw participation from sixth graders across the Arlington Independent School District (AISD). The contest aimed to engage young minds in commemorating the city’s rich history through art. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, alongside AISD representatives, selected seven winning designs based on creativity. These talented students were honored during the Arlington City Council meeting on May 19.

Thanks to the support of the Arlington Tomorrow Foundation, the winning bookmarks have been printed and distributed to the community. Each library branch features one of the winning designs, allowing residents to collect a piece of local creativity. The branches and their featured designs include:

• East Library and Recreation Center, 1817 New York Ave. – Design by Lauren Maqueda from Johns Elementary
• George W. Hawkes Downtown Library, 100 S. Center St. – Design by Cecilia Tran from JB Little Elementary
• Northeast Branch Library, 1905 Brown Blvd. – Design by Airiana Woods from Sherrod Elementary
• Ron Wright Lake Arlington Branch Library, 4000 W. Green Oaks Blvd. – Design by Garrett Hosier from Little Elementary
• Southeast Branch Library, 900 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. – Design by Atziry Martinez from Berry Elementary
• Southwest Branch Library, 3311 S.W. Green Oaks Blvd. – Design by Emilia Navarro from Remynse Elementary
• Woodland West Branch Library, 2837 W. Park Row Dr. – Design by Ximena Aldana from Berry Elementary

This initiative not only celebrates a significant milestone in Arlington’s history but also highlights the importance of involving young citizens in community events. It fosters a sense of pride and belonging among the students and their families, reinforcing the values of creativity and community engagement.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.