Art teacher Cristi Morris, left, and An’Talei Morris, right, a fifth grader at Mountain View Elementary School, celebrate An’Talei’s winning entry in the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools 2025 Holiday Card Art Contest. Her artwork, featuring a festive mug of hot cocoa, will spread some Mountain View cheer by appearing on the official AHPS holiday card distributed to community partners and supporters throughout the region. (AHPS Photo)
Holiday Cheer: Student’s Artwork Chosen for AHPS Card
LOW MOOR — An’Talei Morris, a fifth grader at Mountain View Elementary School, has been selected as the winner of the Alleghany Highlands Public Schools 2025 Holiday Card Art Contest.
An’Talei’s artwork was chosen from a collection of creative entries submitted by Mountain View students. Her design will appear on the official AHPS holiday card, which division leaders Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson will send to community partners, educational stakeholders, and supporters of AHPS throughout the region.
Her vibrant illustration captures the warmth and comfort of the winter season. The artwork features a steaming mug of hot cocoa brimming with marshmallows and stirred with a candy cane. Bright stripes and a blue-and-white checkerboard background add to the festive charm of the design.
“The Mountain View family is absolutely thrilled to celebrate An’Talei and her remarkable creativity,” said Principal Mallory Thompson. “Her artwork truly captures the spirit of the holidays. It’s inspiring to see her imagination shine and to have Mountain View represented in such a joyful way.”
AHPS leaders also expressed appreciation for the teachers who guided the creative process, including An’Talei’s classroom teacher, Brandy Moye, and art teacher, Cristi Miller.
“Seeing An’Talei’s winning design is truly heartwarming,” AHPS leaders Kim Halterman and Melinda Snead-Johnson said. “It’s a simple, perfect image of comfort and joy. That mug of hot chocolate just makes you smile. This contest really shows what happens when our students work with our outstanding teachers to let their creativity flourish. We are proud to share An’Talei’s artwork with everyone, and we are honored to feature it on this year’s school division holiday card.”
This is the third year for the AHPS Holiday Card Art Contest, which highlights students’ creativity and artistic talents. The inaugural contest was held at Callaghan Elementary School in 2023, followed by Jeter-Watson Elementary in 2024. This year, Mountain View Elementary carried on the tradition, and the contest will move to Sharon Elementary School next year.
Past winners include 2023 honoree Braylee Boggs, who was then a second grader at Callaghan, and 2024 winner Chesney Wright, who was a fifth grader at Jeter-Watson Elementary. An’Talei now adds Mountain View Elementary to the growing list of schools represented by winners.
An’Talei was officially recognized by the Alleghany Highlands School Board at its meeting on Monday, Dec. 15. This year’s card, featuring An’Talei’s artwork, reflects AHPS’ commitment to recognizing student achievement and fostering creative expression. Division leaders say they are proud to showcase the work of young artists whose talents brighten the community and strengthen the shared spirit of the Alleghany Highlands.