Benson Middle Teacher Wins Grant

On the front row (from left) on May 21, are Principal Ron Anthony, grant recipient Magen Pike, and Johnston County Education Foundation Representative Judy Boyette. On the middle row are Eric Macias, Emmy Poole, Daphine Argandona, Heidi Perez, Gabby Godwin, Kandice Adams, Shaina Simmons, Hannah Ginn, Bryanna Konig, Hank Williams, and Marshall Blackman. On the back row are Hezikiah Bailey, Luke Wood, Christopher Surles, Tommi Butts, Estaphanie Gamez, Brandon Lushene, Maricela Chavez, Matthew Valentino, Alexander Marler, Noah Higgins, Aubry Pollard, Juan Pavon, and Austin Williams.
On the front row (from left) on May 21, are Principal Ron Anthony, grant recipient Magen Pike, and Johnston County Education Foundation Representative Judy Boyette. On the middle row are Eric Macias, Emmy Poole, Daphine Argandona, Heidi Perez, Gabby Godwin, Kandice Adams, Shaina Simmons, Hannah Ginn, Bryanna Konig, Hank Williams, and Marshall Blackman. On the back row are Hezikiah Bailey, Luke Wood, Christopher Surles, Tommi Butts, Estaphanie Gamez, Brandon Lushene, Maricela Chavez, Matthew Valentino, Alexander Marler, Noah Higgins, Aubry Pollard, Juan Pavon, and Austin Williams.

Benson Middle School’s Magen Pike recently won a $992 grant to teach her students how to create an illuminated manuscript using a variety of mixed media.

An illuminated manuscript is a manuscript in which the text is supplemented with such decoration as initials, borders and miniature illustrations. Illuminated manuscripts are typically decorated with gold or silver, but the term can refer to any decorated/illustrated manuscript.

Thanks to the grant students in Pike’s classes will now have the opportunity to get create their own Middle Ages style illustrated manuscripts using methods used by the monk scribes of the day. They will be able to choose to imitate the style of the medieval monks or take a more modern expressionistic approach.

The collaborative project will conclude around a “Round Table,” which will give students the opportunity to share their thoughts with their peers in a positive way.