By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

HOOVER – U.S. Congressman Spencer Bachus, R-Alabama, honored Creek View Elementary School student Carter Richardson as a finalist in the Bachus family’s Christmas card design contest during a Dec. 5 reception at the Hoover Public Library.

During the reception, Bachus and his wife, Linda, recognized 34 visually impaired students from across Alabama who created artwork to submit in the family’s holiday card art call.

Richardson’s artwork, “My Family’s Trees,” was on display at the library as a finalist for the Bachus family Christmas card, which is mailed out to more than 7,000 people each year. Richardson was the only Shelby County student recognized during the reception.

Frankayla Brazzill, a student at Clay-Chalkville High School, and Christopher Brown, a student at Brighton Middle School, won the call for art with their artwork “It’s Christmas Time” and “Christmas Eve Night,” respectively. Brown’s artwork will be the cover of the Christmas card and Brazzill’s will be the thumbnail print.

“The holiday card call for art has been one of the most personally satisfying projects that I have been associated with as a congressman, because it is all about the children,” Bachus wrote in a release, noting this will be his final congressional Christmas card before he retires.  “My wife Linda and I have been privileged to meet talented students whose artwork truly captures the spirit of the holiday season, and we have seen them mature into active and productive citizens in their communities. In reality, it is they who have helped us to see.”

The UAB School of Optometry Vision Science Research Center, Education and Outreach Module sponsors the Holiday Card Call for Art.  In 1993, the Bachus family began using the original art in their holiday card to highlight the accomplishments of local students.