Manassas, VA — Manassas City Public Schools is proud to announce that Kingston Rosner, a 4th-grade student at Weems Elementary School, has been named the Elementary School Winner in the inaugural Virginia School Boards Association (VSBA) Statewide Art Contest.
Kingston’s original piece, titled “What’s in My Head,” was selected from among first-place regional winners across the Commonwealth. His artwork, which previously earned 1st Place in the VSBA Northeastern Regional Art Contest in May, has been on display at the VSBA headquarters in Charlottesville.
As the statewide elementary division winner, Kingston will receive a $1,000 award and a commemorative trophy during the VSBA Annual Convention in Williamsburg on November 19, 2025.
VSBA Executive Director Gina Patterson said, “We are thrilled to honor these student artists and give them a platform to share their creativity with school board members from across the state. Public education is about more than just academics, it’s about fostering imagination, expression, and passion. This contest is a reminder of the importance of the arts in a well-rounded education.”
This recognition is a significant achievement for Kingston, his family, and the Weems Elementary art community. It also marks the second consecutive year that Weems has produced a regional winner—highlighting the strength of the school’s visual arts program led by art teacher Amy Saylor.
Weems Elementary School Principal Michele Hupman praised Kingston’s accomplishment, adding, “Kingston is a gifted young artist with an incredible sense of vision and voice in his work. Under the guidance of Ms. Saylor, our students thrive in an environment where creativity is encouraged and celebrated. We’re incredibly proud of Kingston and thrilled to see him recognized at the state level.”
MCPS congratulates Kingston on this outstanding honor and celebrates the role of the arts in inspiring creativity, confidence, and student expression.
###