Jada Leonard: Poster Contest Winner 2024

Jada, Age 10 - Kinston Housing Authority, North Carolina

"What home means to me is being able to enjoy family and friends in a peaceful, secure environment. When there is peace, you feel safe in where you live! It makes you feel comfortable. I live in a peaceful place and I am so blessed to live there. It's my happy place. My home is awesome and my property is clean and nice. I love it here."

Congratulations to KHA Resident Jada Leonard for winning the What Home Means to Me Poster Contest.
Jada's poster is featured in the calendar for the month of August.

Some would say that winning two times in a row is luck, but when it comes to Jada Leonard, it's sheer talent. Jada has done it again. She is our 2023 NAHRO "What Home Means to Me" National Poster Contest Winner. Jada's work is featured for the month of August, inside the calendar. Eleven year old Jada is a resident of Jack Rountree Homes and has repeated what she accomplished in 2022, when she was first named a national poster contest winner. Jada is a fifth-grade student who attends Northeast Elementary School. Jada's principal, Mr. Rashard Curmon, and the teaching staff couldn't have been prouder of Jada, as we shared the news with them and presented the school with their very own "What Home Means to Me" 2023 Calendar to display.

Jada has turned into a local celebrity and has gained much press from the town of Kinston. She has been recognized by Kinston Housing Authority's Board of Commissioners, wherein she was presented with a certificate and a gift card by Chairperson Brooketah Banks on March 21, 2024. She has also been recognized by Kinston's Mayor and City Council, Lenoir County Commissioners, The Gate of Lenoir County, and the Police and Community Engagement (PACE) Board of the City of Kinston. Kinston Housing Authority is so excited that one of our very own has excelled through several levels to go on and represent Kinston as a national winner. Jada's works have won first place at the CCHRCO level, competing against housing authorities of North and South Carolina; she went on to win at the SERC level competing against 10 other states and then went on to become one of twelve NAHRO National Winners competing against all 50 states. Jada will try her skill once again this year at the 2024 "What Home Means to Me" Poster Contest, and let's see if we can make Jada a three-peat winner.

Way to go, Jada, and congratulations!