BIRMINGHAM (November 28) – Congressman and Mrs. Spencer Bachus announced that Mariah Ryce, an eighth grade student at Hueytown Middle School, has been selected as the cover artist for the 2011 Holiday Card Call for Art.

The program provides a creative outlet for talented students with visual impairments.

Participants in this year’s program were honored at a reception hosted by Congressman and Mrs. Bachus and the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Optometry Vision Science Research Center at the Hoover Public Library today.

"These students have captured the spirit of the Christmas season by sharing their talents with us. The originality and diversity of their artwork is truly inspiring. It is a privilege to be able to recognize these gifted and loving children. Seeing the joy on the faces of not only the children but their parents, grandparents, and brothers and sisters was inspiring for everyone who attended and was a great way to welcome the Christmas season,” Bachus said.

The UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Research Center and the UAB School of Education sponsor the Holiday Card Call for Art. In 1993, Congressman and Mrs. Bachus began using the original art in their holiday card to highlight the accomplishments of local students. The cards are received by more than 7,000 people.

Mariah, who is the daughter of Elliott and Margaret Ryce, was selected as the cover artist for her work entitled “My First Christmas Tree.” Her art teacher at Hueytown Middle School is Emily Wiggins.

The student artwork is on display throughout the holiday season in the lobby of the Worrell Building on 924 18^th Street in Birmingham.

The following 30 students were recognized for their artwork:

Robin Adair, Mount Olive Elementary School, “Rainbow Bell”

Chris Brown, Brighton Middle School, “The Christmas Wreath”

Destiny Cobbs, Brookville Elementary School, “Joy and Harmony”

Taylor Cosby, Hewitt Trussville High School, “Rudolph”

Katie Crook, Rocky Ridge Elementary School, “Katie’s Wreath”

Taylor Davis, Bagley Junior High School, “A Christmas Wish”

Jaxon Dodd, Bryan Elementary School, “Tropical Holiday”

Reagan Green, Brock’s Gap Intermediate School, “Twas the Night Before Christmas”

Montgomery Hine, Clanton Elementary School, “A Christmas Angel”

Rachel Hyche, Oak Mountain Elementary School, “Country Christmas Tree”

Austin Kennedy, Hewitt Trussville Middle School, “Three Mysterious Snowflakes”

Trenton Mays, Hueytown Middle School, “Polka Dot Present”

Maxwell Marchalonis, Trace Crossings Elementary School, “Teddy Bear-Teddy Bear”

Kayla Moore, Rocky Ridge Elementary School, “Bean’s Tree”

Bailey Olmstead, Gardendale Elementary School, “Christmas Cottage”

Cade Osborne, Minor Community School, “Colorful Ornaments”

Kristopher Gage Patterson, Corner School, “My Fingerprint Tree”

Emily Pedro, Putnam Middle School, “Frosty”       

Beck Petersen, Paine Primary School, “Christmas Snow”

Ren Petersen, Paine Primary School, “Ren Petersen”

Leon Rosato, Hoover High School, “Silent Night”

Shy’Ailah Rutledge, Erwin Middle School, “First Christmas”

Mariah Ryce, Hueytown Middle School, “My First Christmas Tree”

Dylan Sebastian, Chalkville Elementary School, “Picasso’s Musical Christmas”

Madeline Renee Smith, Bragg Middle School, “The Last Fall Apple”

Timothy Tankersley, Hewitt Trussville Middle School, Untitled

Jamiel Vaughan, Huffman Middle School, “My Christmas Stocking”

Aubrey Suzanne Whiteley, Crumly Chapel Elementary School, “Christmas Wonder”

Kayla Wilson, Rocky Ridge Elementary School, “Kayla’s Tree”

Bella Windsor, Pleasant Grove Elementary School, “Barbie Tree”