After spending parts of the spring completing portraitures of State Senator Suzi Oppenheimer, Purchase Elementary School students Lauren Cole and Emily Wiele got the chance to gift their work to the senator herself earlier this month.

Oppenheimer visited the students and spoke with a class at Purchase Elementary for about an hour, answering questions ranging from her political background to if she ever plans to run for president (absolutely not, she said).

Lauren and Emily's work was chosen as the best in their class and the two got to give Oppenheimer their art.

"My portraiture is a three-quarter turn and drawing the face was challenging," said Emily. "I also thought at first, it would be hard to draw, but as I went along it became easier. I learned that you should just try your best and let your mind be free.” 

Lauren added that she used a lot of different materials to finish her work.

"I used colorpencils, pastels, crayons, a black sharpie marker and pencil," she said. "To me, good artwork has lots of different materials in it. I like the way I added the American flag in the background.”

Click here to see some of the student work from the project.

Harrison Central School District contributed to this report.

Each week Harrison Patch wants to spotlight someone you know who is doing great things! We will recognize their accomplishments through our new Whiz Kids column. If you would like to nominate a Whiz Kid please send the following information to Harrison Patch Editor Zach Oliva.

• Nominator's Name
• Nominator's E-Mail
• Whiz Kid's Name
• Whiz Kid's School
• Whiz Kid's Accomplishment
• Whiz Kid's Key to Awesomeness (What made him/her successful?)

If your nominee is selected, we'll contact you and asign a photographer to take a photo.