Andover Student Among Winners of Sen. L’Italien’s Holiday Card Contest

Avanthika Suryadevar, a seventh grader from West Middle School, designed this festive scene that appeared on Sen. Barbara L’Italien’s holiday cards. (Courtesy photo)

An Andover seventh grader helped make Sen. Barbara L’Italien’s holiday extra special this year. Avanthika Suryadevar from West Middle School was one of four local students chosen by L’Italien as a winner of her first annual holiday card contest.

Suryadevar’s hand-drawn card was chosen from among hundreds of entries from students in grades 3 through 8 across L’Italien’s district, which includes Andover, Dracut, Lawrence and Tewksbury. The theme of the contest was “My Favorite Holiday Tradition.”

“This contest really got my staff, family and me into the holiday spirit. I am proud and amazed by the creativity and talent displayed by our students,” L’Italien said. “All the credit in the world goes to the students and their teachers for putting their time and energy into such delightful submissions.”

Other winners included Erick Heisey of Dracut’s Richardson Middle School, Darlanny Contreras from Francis M. Leahy School in Lawrence and Ryan Testa, who attends Louise Davy Trahan Elementary School in Tewksbury.

Winning drawings were displayed on the front of L’Italien’s holiday cards, with honorable mentions displayed on the back.

In November, L’Italien announced her intention to run for Congress to succeed the 3rd District’s Niki Tsongas. That election takes place later this year.