The Chester County Sheriff's Office recently announced the winners of its first art contest, themed "Law Enforcement in the Community." Anna Zerbe, a third-grader at the Honey Brook Elementary Center, earned first place; Sid Ghatta, a fifth-grader from the Great Valley 5/6 Center, won second place; and Arianny Aguilar, a sixth-grader from Avon Grove Charter School, won third place.

Anna's winning photo, which she completed with markers, depicts a police car traveling along a road along with a written message that reads, "Dear police officers. Thank you for keeping us safe!"

Sid's photo depicts two police officers with the words "Thank you" in the center. Other images in the painting include a police badge; the scales of justice; and descriptive words, including "law and order." Arianny's colored pencil drawing depicts a police officer providing comfort.

For winning the first-time competition held this past summer, the students each received a certificate of recognition, a photo with Chester County Sheriff Kevin D. Dykes and a tour of his office, as well as a gift basket filled with art supplies.

Anna was accompanied to the sheriff's office by her parents, Jennifer and Jonathan Zerbe, and her sister, Elizabeth Zerbe. Sid was accompanied by his parents, Sri and Dee Ghatta, and Arianny was accompanied by her mother, Milly Aguilar, and her brother, Jayden Aguilar.

Noah Stribrny, command staff liaison of the sheriff's office, developed the idea to hold the art contest as a community outreach. He said that each of the youngsters enjoyed their tours.

"During her tour, Anna loved seeing the patrol vehicles and motorcycles," he stated. "Sid loved seeing the courts and the holding areas during his tour. Arianny enjoyed seeing the courts and learning more about what the sheriff's office actually does each day. According to her mother, Arianny and her brother would not stop talking about the tour all the way on the car ride home."

Jennifer said she read about the contest in a July edition of the Community Courier. "I told (Anna) about it, and she wanted to do it," she said. "She loves to draw, and I think she was motivated by the chance to tour the sheriff's office."

"Sid loves art and tries to participate in as many art competitions as possible," Stribrny added. "When he saw ours, he was very excited to show off his skills and showcase law enforcement in a positive light in the community."

Since the summer's art competition was such a success, Stribrny has announced that the sheriff's office will hold a spring art competition with the theme "My Favorite Things in Chester County!" Students may use pencils, ink, markers, colored pencils or paint to create their work.

The contest is open to students in kindergarten through grade 12. Once again, the prizes will include a tour of the sheriff's office, a certificate from the sheriff and a photo with the sheriff. The winning artwork will be displayed in the lobby of the Chester County Sheriff's Office in West Chester.

For complete rules and submission details, visit http://www.chesco.org/5569/Student-Art-Competition or scan the QR code at http://www.facebook.com/ccsopa. The Facebook page also contains photos of all of the winners and their art submissions.

Those with questions can email Stribrny at nstribrny@chesco.org. The deadline for submissions is Wednesday, May 7.