Ava Hill, an 8th grader with a passion for blending creativity and skill, is an artist whose dedication shines in and out of the classroom. Ava’s love for both realism and cartooning allows her to explore a wide range of styles, and her artistic interests continue to grow. She is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and has been riding horses for the past 8 years, balancing her love for art with her many other talents.
✨ A Few Fun Facts About Ava:
✅ Favorite artist: Her mom and her amazing pointillism work 🎨❤️
✅ Favorite media: Watercolor and oil paint 🖌️✨
✅ Loves baking sweet treats for family and friends 🍰👩🍳
✅ Avid reader of fantasy and science fiction, which inspires her personal art 📚👾
✅ Loves art because it’s calming and fun 🎨😊
🏆 Awards and Recognitions:
✅ Recipient of the Apprentice Artist Award for her hard work and dedication 🎨🏆
✅ Selected as a 2023 Superintendent’s Holiday Card Artist 🎄✨
✅ Her artwork is currently on view at the 2025 Azalea Festival Youth Art and Writing Contests Showcase in Wilmington 🎨🌸
Ava’s creativity, imagination, and passion for the arts continue to inspire those around her. We’re proud to celebrate her achievements during Youth Art Month and look forward to seeing her artistic journey unfold!
Tug of War Frenzy Fun!
Working hard on this Wednesday morning!
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JuEXaRMy6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🎉 The Votes Are In! 🎉
👏 Congratulations to 8th grader Emmalee Timaeus for winning the Pender County Humane Society's T-Shirt Contest! 👏
Emmalee’s design received the most likes, earning her:
👕 A free shirt featuring her artwork
🏆 A commemorative plaque
💬 Well-deserved bragging rights!
🖌️ A Little Bit About Emmalee:
Emmalee has taken art in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, including Advanced Art this year. Outside of school, she enjoys playing with her dog, attending youth group at church, working on her art projects, and spending time at the beach.
🎨 Emmalee’s favorite medium is chalk pastels, and while she doesn’t have a favorite artist, she admires Katsushika Hokusai (famous for The Great Wave) for his unique style.
🎼 A Talented Musician Too!
In addition to her artistic achievements, Emmalee has played the clarinet in the SCM Band for the past 3 years, showcasing her dedication to both the visual and performing arts.
🌟 A Full Circle Moment:
In 6th grade, Emmalee was selected as the Pender Spring Fest Artist for the 2023 T-shirt design. Now, as she wraps up her middle school art career, she’s ending on a high note by winning the Pender Humane Society T-Shirt Contest—a perfect bookend to her artistic journey at Surf City Middle!
🐾 What’s Next?
The next step is getting the shirts printed, and we’ll be sharing more information soon on how you can purchase a shirt to support the Pender County Humane Society and help save our furry friends.
❤️ Thank You to Everyone Who Voted and Supported This Amazing Event! 🐾
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1JuEXaRMy6/?mibextid=wwXIfr
🎉 The Votes Are In! 🎉
👏 Congratulations to 8th grader Emmalee Timaeus for winning the Pender County Humane Society's T-Shirt Contest! 👏
Emmalee’s design received the most likes, earning her:
👕 A free shirt featuring her artwork
🏆 A commemorative plaque
💬 Well-deserved bragging rights!
🖌️ A Little Bit About Emmalee:
Emmalee has taken art in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade, including Advanced Art this year. Outside of school, she enjoys playing with her dog, attending youth group at church, working on her art projects, and spending time at the beach.
🎨 Emmalee’s favorite medium is chalk pastels, and while she doesn’t have a favorite artist, she admires Katsushika Hokusai (famous for The Great Wave) for his unique style.
🎼 A Talented Musician Too!
In addition to her artistic achievements, Emmalee has played the clarinet in the SCM Band for the past 3 years, showcasing her dedication to both the visual and performing arts.
🌟 A Full Circle Moment:
In 6th grade, Emmalee was selected as the Pender Spring Fest Artist for the 2023 T-shirt design. Now, as she wraps up her middle school art career, she’s ending on a high note by winning the Pender Humane Society T-Shirt Contest—a perfect bookend to her artistic journey at Surf City Middle!
🐾 What’s Next?
The next step is getting the shirts printed, and we’ll be sharing more information soon on how you can purchase a shirt to support the Pender County Humane Society and help save our furry friends.
❤️ Thank You to Everyone Who Voted and Supported This Amazing Event! 🐾
🌸 Exciting News from the 2025 Azalea Festival Youth Art and Writing Contests! 🌸
Joining Camille McEwan (Honorable Mention for “Little Ducky”) and Cadien Guy (3rd Place for “The Beach”) in the Art Showcase are:
🎨 Juliana Bowen with “Beauty of Nature”
🌸 Ava Hill with “Springtime Horse”
💙 Eva Mascio with “Cerulean Blue”
We are also thrilled to announce that joining Rayna Maglione (3rd Place for her poem “AZALEA”) and Josie Nelson (Honorable Mention for her poem “Azalea Festival”) in the Writing Showcase are:
📝 Kevin Dale with his essay “In the Springtime”
🌸 Finley Maxwell with her poem “Azalea Memories”
The 2025 Azalea Festival Youth Art and Writing Contests Showcase opens THIS THURSDAY, March 27th and runs through April 27th at the Community Arts Center (CAC), located in the Hannah Block Historic USO Building at 120 S. 2nd St., Wilmington, NC (for GPS).
✨ Ribbon Cutting Event:
📅 Date: Thursday, March 27th
⏰ Time: 5:30 PM (Ribbon Cutting at 5:45 PM)
🏢 Location: Community Arts Center (CAC), 2nd and Orange Streets, Downtown Wilmington
What to Expect:
🎨 Enjoy an incredible display of artwork from talented Elementary, Middle, and High School students, including artwork from top Youth Art Contest winners.
📝 Explore the top Middle School Writing Contest poems and essays.
🍪 Light refreshments (cookies and punch) will be served.
📸 Take pictures with Azalea Princess Mia Volety and Cape Fear Garden Club Ambassadors.
⚠️ Can't make it to the ribbon cutting? No worries! The showcase runs for the entire month of April.
⏰ CAC Hours:
Mon–Thurs: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Fri–Sat: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Closed Sundays (except during the Azalea Festival)
We are incredibly proud of all our talented Surf City Sharks! 🦈💙
Today we are featuring Tanner Soward for Music In Our Schools Month. Tanner is in 7th grade and plays the euphonium
✅- Performed in band class for two years 🎵🎶
✅- Performed in the PCS All County Band 🎶
✅- Competing in STEM bridge building contest and has advanced to state finals 🌉
✅- Job shadowed with the fire department this year🧑🚒🚒
Today, we’re excited to spotlight Ruth Barry, an 8th grader with a passion for painting and watercolor! This is Ruth’s second year in art at Surf City Middle, and she chose to take Advanced Art this year to continue creating and exploring her artistic skills all year long. Last year, she was honored with an Apprentice Artist Award for her dedication and creativity.
✨ A Few Fun Facts About Ruth:
✅ Loves watercolor and painting 🎨✨
✅ Played basketball for Surf City Middle School 🏀
✅ Favorite art style: Pointillism 🎨🖌️
✅ Chose Advanced Art to deepen her artistic skills and challenge herself
🌟 Exciting News! 🌟
Ruth’s creativity extends beyond the classroom — she has been selected as this year’s winning designer for the 8th-grade band trip to Carowinds t-shirt! Her amazing design will be proudly displayed on our students’ attire during the trip.
Ruth’s artistic talent and dedication make her a standout student. We’re proud to celebrate her achievements this Youth Art Month and can’t wait to see what she accomplishes next!
From Mrs. Botkin..."A great time was had by all as the 7th grade embarked on a big Myrtle Beach adventure."
As we continue highlighting amazing talent for Youth Art Month, we’re excited to spotlight Julliana Bowen, an inspiring 8th grader who has shown a deep commitment to the arts. Julliana has taken art in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade and chose to take Advanced Art this year to continue honing her skills.
✨ About Julliana:
✅ Plays volleyball at East Coast Volleyball Academy 🏐
✅ Cheered for both basketball and football seasons at SCM 📣🏀🏈
✅ Loves baking cookies and sweet treats for her friends and family 🍪❤️
✅ Member of the National Junior Honor Society 📚✨
✅ She is a part of our Megalodon team, a group of 8th grade leaders who give student tours and help maintain a positive and clean atmosphere in the school 🦈🏫
✅ Favorite artwork: Vincent van Gogh's Starry Night and paintings with a variety of colors 🌌🎨
✅ Enjoys creating paintings, watercolor art, and paper bead jewelry 🎨🖌️
✅ Recipient of the Apprentice Artist Award for her dedication and hard work 🏆
🎉 Exciting News! 🎉
Julliana is 1 of only 5 upcoming freshmen to be selected for the 2025-2026 Topsail High School Yearbook Staff, a testament to her creativity, leadership, and attention to detail! 📸📚
Julliana believes that art reveals different perspectives on life, helping people see the world through various lenses. Her creativity and passion continue to inspire her peers and the SCMS community. We’re so proud to celebrate her this Youth Art Month!
We are thrilled to recognize four outstanding students from our school for their remarkable achievements in the 2025 Azalea Festival Youth Contests! 🌸 🌸 🌸
🏅 Youth Writing Contest
3rd Place: Rayna Maglione, "Azalea" – 8th Grade
Honorable Mention: Josie Nelson, "Azalea Festival" – 8th Grade
Their work was selected from an impressive 82 essay entries and 98 poetry submissions by middle school students across the state—a truly remarkable accomplishment!
🎨 Youth Art Contest
3rd Place: Caiden Guy, "The Beach" – 7th Grade
Honorable Mention: Camille McEwan, "Little Ducky" – 7th Grade
Their artwork was selected from an extraordinary 400 submissions from elementary, middle, and high school students across North Carolina.
About the Contests:
Since its inception in 2010, the Azalea Festival Youth Art Contest has showcased thousands of budding young artists across the state. Open to students in grades K-12, including homeschool, private, and public school students, the contest receives hundreds of entries each year. Similarly, the Youth Writing Contest recognizes the exceptional literary talent of young writers across North Carolina.
Way to go, Rayna, Josie, Caiden, and Camille! Your creativity, hard work, and dedication have made us all proud! 🏆📚🎨✨🌸 🦈
For Music In Our Schools Month, we are highlighting Liam Boyle. Liam is in 7th grade and plays in the clarinet section
✅- Performed in band class for two years 🎵🎶
✅- Is an avid swimmer outside of SCMS 🏊
✅- Enjoys playing golf 🏌️⛳
Good evening,
Here is this week's Shark Bites! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rbdUZ4wBwRR4Mzbyv1Sg6QCS7F-Lk4lO/view?usp=sharing
Have a great week,
SCM Administration
6th graders put the mad in March madness!
For Music In Our Schools Month, we are highlighting Kaylina Courtright. Kaylina is in 7th grade and plays in the percussion section.
✅- Performed in band class for two years 🎵
✅- Participates in D&D Club 🐲🎲
✅- Performed in the PCS All-County Band🎶
✅- Wants to be in the Topsail High School Marching Band in high school 🥁
✅- Enjoys playing piano in her free time🎹
✅- Has also entered in multiple contests in Mrs. Berdeau's art class 🎨
As we continue celebrating Youth Art Month, we’re proud to highlight Harry Roy, a talented 7th grader whose artistic skills and creativity have earned him numerous accolades. Harry finds art relaxing and enjoys using colored pencils and watercolor, while expressing an interest in learning acrylic painting in the future.
✨ About Harry:
✅ Loves reading and playing chess 📚♟️
✅ Favorite media: Colored pencils and watercolor 🎨
✅ Interested in exploring acrylic painting 🖌️
✅ Played for the SCM soccer team this year ⚽️
✅ Plays tenor saxophone in the Surf City Middle School band 🎷🎶
✅ In his free time, he LOVES to fish 🎣🐟
✅ 3rd Place Winner in the Art of Conservation® Songbird Art Contest™, which focuses on raising awareness about the decline of North American songbirds and the importance of conservation efforts 🐦🌿
✅ 3rd Place Winner in the State Fish Art Contest’s Fish Habitat Writing category, where students reflect on the importance of protecting lakes, rivers, estuaries, and coastlines 🐟🌊
✅ Winner in the WonderWorks ART-OLINA Contest – his artwork, illustrating the theme “Innovate and Create,” was one of only 10 works selected from North and South Carolina to be displayed at WonderWorks Myrtle Beach for an entire year! 🌟🏙️
✅ Recipient of the Apprentice Artist Award for his dedication, creativity, and consistent hard work
Harry’s curiosity, passion for conservation, and dedication to learning make him a standout artist. His ability to balance creativity with a commitment to protecting the environment is truly inspiring. We’re proud to celebrate Harry’s achievements this Youth Art Month and look forward to seeing where his artistic journey takes him next!
Support Pender County Humane Society – Vote for Your Favorite T-Shirt Design Created by Our Surf City Sharks! 🐾
How to Vote:
✅ Visit the Pender County Humane Society's Facebook Page: Pender County Humane Society Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1067037038794188&id=100064637056081&mibextid=wwXIfr&rdid=w1vSiIC1j0JD16ka#
✅ Find the T-Shirt Contest Post: Look for the post showcasing the finalist designs.
✅ Cast Your Vote: Follow the instructions in the post to vote for your favorite design.
🗓️ Voting Deadline: Please cast your vote by March 24th.
🏆 The student's design with the most likes will win:
🎁 A free shirt featuring their design
🏅 A plaque
💬 Bragging rights!
Your participation not only supports local student artists but also contributes to the well-being of animals in our community. 🐾 Thank you for your support! ❤️
Congratulations to these students selected for the SCMS baseball team. Go Sharks!!!
Parker Jennings
Cy Gurganus
Nolan Dick
Corey Spearman
Cole Sorace
Keegan Faircloth
Grady Lapointe
Hayden Davis
Colby Roberts
Connor Clemmons
Sawyer Tranter
Tyler Garcas
Vance Harrington
Carter Nesbit
Henry Crouch
Dennis Andrison
Landon Murphy
Ben Polk
In celebration of Youth Art Month, we’re excited to recognize Bailey Miller, a talented 7th grader whose creative passion and unique perspective shine through in every piece of art.
✨ About Bailey:
✅ Has taken art in both 6th and 7th grade, continually expanding creative skills 🎨
✅ Loves creating 3-D works, especially unique and expressive masks 🎭
✅ Favorite art style: Jean-Michel Basquiat, known for bold and expressive pieces 🎨
✅ Participates in acro and tumbling, showcasing creativity through movement 🤸♀️
✅ Believes that art is a universal language, helping people communicate and connect no matter where they’re from 🌍
Bailey’s artwork reflects a deep understanding of expression and creativity, making her a standout this Youth Art Month. We can’t wait to see how she continues to grow and share her talents!
As we continue celebrating Youth Art Month, we’re proud to recognize Eva Hughes, a talented 7th grader whose determination and passion for creativity have set her apart.
✨ About Eva:
✅ Has taken art in both 6th and 7th grade, continuously growing her skills and artistic voice 🎨
✅ 2nd Place Winner in the State Fish Contest Writing category 🐟✍️
✅ Recipient of the prestigious Apprentice Artist Award
✅ Plays electric and bass guitar with the School of Rock in Wilmington 🎸🎶
✅ Favorite art media: Colored pencils ✏️
✅ Favorite art style: Contemporary Realism 🎨
✅ Favorite art piece: Christina’s World by Andrew Wyeth 🌾
Eva’s journey is a testament to her determination and willingness to grow. Her creativity shines not just in her artwork but also in her music and writing. We’re proud to celebrate her this Youth Art Month and look forward to seeing where her artistic talents take her next!
