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The artwork of five Maryvale Elementary School students was featured in a display in Beijing during the Summer Olympics.

Sharon Minor King, an art teacher at Maryvale, said the children, all of whom were third-grade students at the Rockville school last year when their work was selected, were chosen to display their art as part of an exhibit sponsored by the Beijing Youth Federation and International Paint Pals, an organization that provides an opportunity for young people worldwide to learn about important issues, to express their personal views and to share cultures and friendship through the language of art.

Paintings and drawings from more than 5,000 children representing 66 countries were selected to be on display during the Olympic Games, according to International Paint Pal's Web site.

Works by Thomas Hughes, Cheyenne Hancock, Mfon Akpaete, Elise Steenburgh and Beth Rendely were chosen for the exhibit.

"They were so excited to be selected and so were their classmates," she said.

King, who also teaches art at Glen Haven Elementary School in Silver Spring, found out about the art exhibition in October and immediately asked if her students could participate. The organization said yes, but that it could only accept five pieces of artwork.

So King held a juried contest to decide whose work would be sent to China. In December, the students' art was displayed in the school media center and a group of teachers and Maryvale Principal Kimberly Kimber judged the work.

The art had to depict the Olympics, peace or symbols of love and good will.

"The quality and thoughtfulness of the work was very impressive," she said. "It turned out to be a really great experience."