Student art celebrating diversity to adorn 8,000 Midland School Chromebooks

The Midland County Inclusion Alliance (MCIA) has teamed up with Midland Public Schools (MPS) for the fourth year to transform student artwork into stickers for over 8,000 Chromebooks distributed across the district.

Out of more than 250 submissions, MPS selected artwork from two students to be featured on this year's Chromebook stickers. This year's theme "Better Together"  celebrates individuals’ unique qualities and perspectives that strengthen our community by helping create an environment where everyone belongs.

Alice Kim, a fourth grader from Woodcrest Elementary, created the artwork for Chromebooks used by Pre-K through fifth grades. Elise Collier, an eighth grader at Northeast Middle School, designed the artwork for Chromebooks used by sixth through twelfth grades.

“These artworks are our daily, visual reminders that diversity, equity, and inclusion are important and supported in our community,” says Dr. Yang Jiao, MPS Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

“Vibrant and original, all submissions this year feature so many unique interpretations from our students of how we can support each other and be 'better together,' despite our differences. The hands-on opportunity also further cements our community’s commitment to create space for everyone that attends MPS."

Kim’s intricate design illustrates multiple dimensions of diversity in each letter of Better Together. “My favorite part of the design is how each letter shows different cultures and backgrounds, reminding us that we are all unique but belong together,” said the nine-year-old. “I also love the smiling Earth, which shows we are all connected worldwide.”

Collier’s design incorporates the world with hearts drawn using the Colors of the World multicultural crayons. "The globe idea came to mind because it represents lots of different people and cultures," Collier says. "I added the paper airplanes to signify connecting people."

For Kim, the Better Together theme means, "We can do more and be happier when we work as a team, even if we are different. It is about unity, inclusion, and working together no matter who we are." 

Both pieces of artwork are a visual reminder of the school district’s vision and promise to support an inclusive and equitable learning environment. And is an action-oriented continuation of the messages of the prior three years, “Be You,” “Be an Ally” and “Diversity is A Strength.”