A Winning Design for a Milestone Year

Nathan Hopkins' artwork was selected from dozens of student entries to represent BCE's 45th Anniversary Fall Drive.

Every fall, hundreds of BCE lawn signs pop up across Burlingame, creating a colorful reminder of a community that believes in its public schools. This year, the artwork on those signs was created by Burlingame Intermediate School eighth grader Nathan Hopkins, whose winning design will help celebrate the Burlingame Community for Education Foundation's 45th anniversary.

Nathan's bright, cheerful illustration was selected from over 50 student submissions from across the Burlingame School District. The committee was drawn to its bold colors, clean design, and the thoughtful way it highlights the many programs funded by BCE. Nathan’s design was one of the only submissions to commemorate BCE’s longtime investment in dedicated PE teachers, music, the performing arts, and world languages.

"I looked at the lawn signs from previous years and wanted to make something that would really stand out," Nathan said. "I wanted it to be simple, colorful, and show all the things BCE helps make possible at my school, like music, PE, the plays and musicals, and Spanish and Mandarin."

Although this was Nathan's first time entering the BCE art contest, it wasn't his first time creating art. Over the past year, he has focused on figure and portrait drawing in pencil and charcoal while also experimenting with alcohol markers, the medium he used to achieve the vibrant colors in his winning design. More recently, he's begun exploring digital illustration and animation.

"I like art because you can create anything you imagine," he said. "It's also a quiet way to focus, and I like seeing an idea turn into something real."

Nathan's winning design captures the spirit of BCE's mission by celebrating the enriching opportunities available to every student in Burlingame's public schools. As BCE marks 45 years of investing in students, his artwork serves as a colorful reminder of the programs that donor support makes possible every day. While Nathan's artwork earned the top honor, the selection committee was wowed by the creativity and talent shown in submissions from students throughout the district and will be featuring some of the top submissions in upcoming promotional materials.

Beginning this month, Nathan's lawn sign will appear throughout Burlingame as families show their support for local public schools. Anyone who donates to BCE's Fall Drive before November 1 will receive a complimentary lawn sign delivered to their home. Be among the first to get your sign by donating now for delivery Labor Day weekend!

For 45 years, BCE donors have helped fund music, physical education, world languages, academic intervention, and other programs that enrich every Burlingame School District school. This year's lawn sign is more than a symbol of support. It's a celebration of a community that continues to invest in its students, together.

Support the Fall Drive

Make your gift before November 1 to receive your complimentary 45th Anniversary lawn sign and help fund the exceptional educational experiences that make Burlingame schools so special.

Donate today at: bcefoundation.org/donate