The Peru Gazette

Sarah Guay and art teacher Erik Wilson (Peru Gazette Photo)

L-R Sarah Guay. Leonard Bus Sales VP Stacy Bruce and Leonard Bus Sales Transportation Advisor Roman Garasymchuk (PCS Photo)

Sarah’s Award Winning Painting

By John T Ryan

On Wednesday, April 22, Stacey Bruce, Vice-President of Leonard Bus Sales, presented Sarah Guay with a $1,000 Scholarship Award for her “A Day in the Life of a School Bus. ‘First Odyssey’ painting. High school juniors and seniors from across New York State competed for the scholarship. Sarah’s winning entry will be prominently displayed at Peru’s Transportation Department and will also be printed professionally and shared with school districts and school bus enthusiasts across the state.

Sarah said she created the painting at home in about 5 hours. She shared, “I entered the contest last October. I had kind of put it off, thinking, ‘I’m not going to win.’ At the last minute, I decided to do it.” Sarah said she’s loved art as long as she can remember. “My interest in art has even grown stronger over the years.” The Peru High School senior is planning to attend SUNY New Paltz this fall, a university renowned for its strong fine arts program. Sarah’s art teacher, Erik Wilson, praised her hard work and dedication, noting that this wasn’t Sarah’s first impressive piece of artwork.

Jon Leonard, President of Leonard Bus Sales, commented, “The Leonard Bus Sales family believes that a successful education has many dimensions, and the arts play a critical role in shaping well-rounded adults who are prepared to thrive in an ever-changing world. In this world, the ability to express ideas across cultures and diverse backgrounds is key to success. A Day in the Life of a School Bus Art Competition encourages students to reflect on their shared experience – the promise that each new day brings – within a space that feels safe, familiar, and protective from the outside world.”