PORT ALLEN, La. (WAFB) — Kendall Wishom, a rising freshman at Port Allen Middle School, took first place in pottery at the National Beta Club Finals in Nashville — the first time in the school’s history a student has claimed the top honor at the competition.
Wishom beat out dozens of students from across the country with an original piece: an octopus hidden inside a seashell with a pearl at the center.
‘I fell in love with it’
Wishom said she discovered pottery as a new challenge.
“I fell in love with it because I never really did it before, and I like doing things that challenge me, that are creative, things like that,” Wishom said.
She described the moment her name was called at the competition.
“It was announced when we first walked into the room. I was supposed to be on stage, but it was announced, and we kind of walked into it. And all you can hear in the video is my mom screaming in my ear,” Wishom said.
Teacher, family react
Beta Club teacher Tasha Robichaux said she works with Wishom to help keep her skills sharp.
“She’s talented, she’s really talented,” Robichaux said. “When they called to tell me, I mean, it was amazing. When you believe in a child and help them to pursue their dreams, it’s amazing to see them do that.”
Wishom’s grandmother, Rose Scott, said Kendall has always had a knack for art.
“Kendall is always making something. Basically every week she has a new project,” Scott said. “If you could open my heart and see how huge it is…”
Looking ahead
As she prepares to enter high school, Wishom said the win has given her confidence going forward.
“Just knowing this, and knowing if I set my mind to it then I can do great in anything,” Wishom said.
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