By Mike Hutchens, UC Schools Communications Director
Union City, Tenn.–Jaheim Ceaser’s work is now out there for all to see.
The Union City High School senior created what he originally thought was artwork for a banner to be hung in the school hallway for a project with the Obion County Prevention Coalition’s focus on National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week.
Like many other things in society, the COVID-19 pandemic changed that.
Governor-mandated school closures across Tennessee due to the coronavirus outbreak prompted the move of Ceaser’s graffiti wall creation to a more-prominent display.
It can now instead be seen by a much-larger audience daily on Highway 51 South, displayed on an OCPC-sponsored billboard. The billboard is on the right side of the road that runs from Union City to Troy, north of Allie Campbell Road and just past the ongoing construction zone.
Coalition coordinator Carla Aaron made the decision to promote Ceaser’s work, all of which was done either at home or during his daily study hall before school dismissed on March 19.
The attention for his artwork is nothing new for Ceaser, who began showing an interest in drawing in elementary school.
His mother, Stacey, a pre-K educational aide at UC Elementary School, said Jaheim always enjoyed participating in UCES librarian Mindy McClanahan’s bookmark contest that is a staple of book fair week at the school.
He’s had winning entries in that competition and also has had his work featured on numerous T-shirts and in several UC Schools yearbooks in recent years. Jaheim – who also showcased his talents for the Union City track program the last few years — was also a winner in the state airport art contest in the past and regularly was a top student in Hilary Webb’s art classes at both Union City Middle School and UCHS.
The billboard will remain up until May 13.