Sacred Heart student collecting art supplies for kids

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - A Sacred Heart high school senior is on a mission to help Hattiesburg elementary schools. Cade Slaughter, 17, partnered with the Hattiesburg Arts Council (HAC) to donate art supplies to classrooms in the district.

Slaughter said, "We collect art supplies that can be used in the classroom."

Slaughter started the art supply drive because he wants kids to have the same art experience he had growing up.

"For me, art is a great stress reliever, I did a little research about how art is so closely tied to education" said Slaughter.

He found that students who are involved with art score better on state exams.

"Those kids were more likely to score higher on math and english sections on the ACT, which is one of the lowest sections Mississippi scored the lowest in" Slaughter said.

Amy Smith, donator, said the drive is needed especially when districts have cut programs and costs.

Smith said, "This is wonderful, anyways that we can help, we have to help."

Slaughter and the Hattiesburg Arts Council will continue to collect donations August 2 from 3 - 6 p.m. at the HAC Open Studio on Front Street.

Needed art materials include:

• Paint brushes

• Paint

• Marker/ Colored Pencils/ Crayons

• Glue/ Kid Friendly Scissors

• Construction Paper/ College Materials