Guilty of possession of artistic eye

The walls of Judge Bill Rogers' courtroom are littered with patriotic scenes. The Statue of Liberty. The Nevada State Seal. Spiderman holding the flag.

Every year the adornments change, welcoming a new crop of art straight from the minds of Dayton's youth.

After he was elected to the Dayton Justice Court five years ago, Rogers began putting on the art show, open to all children grades kindergarten to high school. The children submit drawings based on a theme. The 2006 theme is "Our Nevada Heritage."

"It's just really fun for me and my staff. I just enjoy kids, plus it's an easy way to decorate a drab courtroom," Rogers said.

The best of show from each of the five age groups is put on display in the courthouse and remains there for a year. After that time, the artists can have their work back or can elect to have it remain on display.

Each of the 581 children who entered the show received a certificate complete with a Nevada quarter at a ceremony Friday night.

Nine-year-old Brooke Scott, a Sutro Elementary student, was awarded best of show in the second- and third-grade category. Her winning entry included the state seal that she drew from looking at a history book in her class.

Brooke said she likes to draw, mostly cartoon characters with a focus on one particular character.

"SpongeBob SquarePants. He's my favorite," Brooke said.

Kortney Wilson, 16, a Dayton High School student, included a variety of elements in her winning entry. Wilson said she tries to sketch whenever she can.

"My whole family are artists," Kortney said. "It's nice to get away and just draw."

Rogers said the contest also provides a positive experience for residents to get involved with the court system.

"The kids really enjoyed it and it gets the families into court on a positive note," Rogers said.

• Contact reporter Jarid Shipley at jshipley@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.

Winners of the fifth annual Dayton Justice Court Art Show

Kindergarten-First grades

Best of show: Krista Hartman, Sutro Elementary

First place: Jesse Gonzalez, Sutro Elementary

Second place: Kali Lampshire, Sutro Elementary

Third place: MarryJane Howard, Silver Springs Elementary

Second-Third grade

Best of show: Brooke Scott, Sutro Elementary

First place: Alexis Conley, Sutro Elementary

Second place: Jessica Matthews, Dayton Elementary

Third place: Morgan Claypool, Dayton Elementary

Fourth-Fifth grades

Best of show: Lindsey Serpa, Dayton Elementary

First place: Tonya Hatchell, Silver Springs Middle

Second place: Jake Turner, Sutro Elementary

Third place: Jessica Sky-Bouas, Silver Springs Elementary

Sixth-Eighth grades

Best of show: Hilary Hanses, Dayton Intermediate

First place: Lela Branstetter, Dayton Intermediate

Second place: Heather Knudson, Dayton Intermediate

Third place: Shelby Jackson, Dayton Intermediate

High school

Best of show: Kortney Wilson, Dayton High

First place: Ashlei Clark, Dayton High

Second place: Tasha Gaskill, Dayton High

Third place: Jasmine Lozano, Dayton High