The 39th U.S. president and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Jimmy Carter, shook hands with Fayette Middle seventh grader Julie Bustamante, congratulating her as a first place winner in the annual Plains, Peanuts and a President Postcard Contest.
The former president honored Julie’s first place achievement during an awards ceremony at the annual Peanut Festival in Plains on September 25. She received a certificate and a signed copy of one of President Carter’s books.
Julie designed her postcard as part of a classroom project in Ellen Mitchell’s art class. Artwork had to be drawn on an index card and was required to contain at least one image or drawing of a peanut and something about Plains or President Jimmy Carter. Julie’s drawing featured a portrait of the former president along with peanuts and the Georgia flag. Her artwork can be viewed online at www.jimmycarter.info under “In the Spotlight.” She won first place in the seventh grade division.
Around 12-15,000 postcard entries were received statewide from students in grades K-12. A first, second and third place winner was chosen for each grade level.
The Jimmy Carter National Historic Site Education Program sponsors the contest. It continues the dream of Ms. Julia Coleman, President Carter’s favorite teacher. She always incorporated many types of student activities for the betterment of students. President Carter quoted Ms. Coleman in his Inaugural address in 1977 and once again in 2002 when he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize in Norway.
