Mansfield Patch's Whiz Kid of the Week: Cecelia Davis

Appearing in a newspaper is nothing new to 9-year-old Cecelia Davis. Her picture has been featured in local papers for her participation in events around Mansfield, such as the annual Halloween parade. Her most recent media appearance, however, was a much different experience for her and her parents.

The Jordan/Jackson third-grader found out about Hutch Magazine, a children’s creative literary magazine from her teacher, Rayna Freedman.  Freedman inspired many of her students to submit original works of art or literature to the magazine. Davis drew a picture in school that she submitted in hopes of getting it published.

The drawing, which her parents, Tammy and Doug Davis still have not seen and will not see until they get the magazine this month, is of two cats, an adult and a kitten.

Davis said that her favorite medium is markers but she does not have a favorite thing to draw. She draws whatever comes to her at that particular time. On the day she drew her soon-to-be famous and published work of art, cats were on her mind and cats were her ticket to success and stardom.

Davis’ parents have always viewed her as an artistic young lady.

“Even in kindergarten and first grade, she used to make her own books,” said Tammy Davis. “She would fold the paper in half and staple it and do her own writing and drawing. I think she likes to do stuff that’s creative.”

The untitled drawing, which Davis submitted to Hutch at the end March, will be featured in the spring edition. It is hitting the shelves of the Blue Bunny bookstore in Dedham in a few weeks and it will be commemorated with a publishing party at the store on June 17.

Davis’ parents were thrilled that their daughter had the opportunity to be published in Hutch.

“I was really excited for her and really proud of her,” said Tammy Davis.

It is an incredible opportunity that they will remember and cherish for many years.

They see this opportunity as being very beneficial to all of the students involved. It is a resource that allows them to think creatively and to work hard towards something exciting outside of school. It also gives them the chance to feel special.

“I think it’s really good for their confidence,” explained Davis’ very proud mother. “I think they work so hard at school and this is something that was fun to do.”

This imaginative young girl is excited about being published but she does not plan to submit anything to Hutch in the near future. You can be sure she will keep utilizing that right brain, however. Creativity is something that comes naturally to her and being artistic is something she enjoys in her free time.

The Davis’ will be attending the School Committee meeting on June 21 when all of the Jordan/Jackson students that were published or are being published in Hutch will be recognized for their accomplishments. You can watch the event on Mansfield Cable Access.