Taisen Malone: UScellular’s Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest Winner

Ten-year-old Taisen Malone is a fourth grader at Emerson Elementary. Taisen entered UScellular’s third annual Hispanic Heritage Month Art Contest with The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa. Taisen, from Tulsa’s North Mabee Club, not only won locally, but his entry was one of the top three first-place submissions with the most votes from all participating Clubs and was named a national winner. Taisen received $250 for each win, totaling $500, while The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Tulsa received a $1,000 donation.

TulsaKids: Tell us about the art contest. Was there a theme you were asked to follow?

Taisen: The contest celebrates diversity, honors Hispanic and Latino STEM icons and showcases youth in Tulsa. It honors the contributions of Hispanic people and encourages young people to learn more about them. We were encouraged to research and learn more about Hispanic STEM role models and what they contributed.

TulsaKids: What did you decide to draw? How did you come up with your idea?

Taisen: I drew a portrait of Carlos Finlay. I chose him from the group that was given to us. I was interested in what he studied. (Editor’s note: Carlos Juan Finlay was a Cuban epidemiologist who studied yellow fever and found that it was transmitted through mosquitoes.)

TulsaKids: You won first place and were also a national winner. How did you feel when you found out you won?

Taisen: I felt really surprised and happy. I had never won first place before. That was my goal.

TulsaKids: Have you always enjoyed doing art? What kinds of things do you like to draw?

Taisen: Yes! I like drawing characters, objects, science material and nature.

TulsaKids: Who inspires you, or who do you look up to, and why?

Taisen: My parents. They taught me to do many things. And Leonardo Da Vinci because I respect his art creations.

TulsaKids: What advice would you give to other kids who like to draw?

Taisen: Anyone can be an artist. You just have to practice and never throw away your drawings. Always keep them for memory and to reflect on so that you can do better.

TulsaKids: What other hobbies do you have beside art?

Taisen: I like hanging out with my friends, playing video games and playing sports.

TulsaKids: What are your plans for the future?

Taisen: I want to become a great athlete and make great art so that I can show it to people.

TulsaKids: What are your favorite things to do in Tulsa?

Taisen: Go to the Tulsa Fair, waterparks, pumpkin patches – and my favorite restaurant is Blue Coast.

TulsaKids: Can you tell us a fun fact about yourself?

Taisen: I make lots of friends and I finish my power hour work faster than everyone else at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club.

 Betty Casey is the associate publisher and editor in chief of TulsaKids Magazine. She has been with TulsaKids over 20 years.