Art proves to be a Highlight

Seven-year-old Chancie Hanson has a big dilemma on his hands. Does he grow up and become the goalie for his beloved Colorado Avalanche, or does he simply become a world-famous artist?

He's taking steps in both directions. He loves to play hockey, and he wants to be just like his idol, Patrick Roy. But his artistic talent already has him on the national stage.

This summer, Hanson had a piece of his work selected for inclusion in Highlights magazine, a national magazine for children. It isn't the first time he has been honored for his art, either.

"I won a $500 U.S. savings bond from the National Bank of Alaska once," Chancie said proudly.

The Highlights piece involved watercolors, crayons, thread and glitter. On a "wavy" background, he sewed a bright red heart in the middle. He was surprised to see his art in the magazine.

"I didn't expect it, no," Hanson said.

He gets his art abilities from his mother, Diane Firmani, who has taught art and is currently the librarian at Tanaina Elementary, where Chancie is in second grade. Firmani recently took a weaving class, and that proved to be inspiration for the background on Chancie's Highlights art.

Chancie said his favorite thing with art is drawing.

"I like mountain pictures and sketches with no colors, just drawing," Chancie said.

In school, he likes a variety of classes.

"Math. You really gotta love that math," Chancie said. "I like art, and ELP (extended-learning program) too."

As much as he takes after his mother in the art realm, he patterns himself after his dad on the ice. His father, Dave Hanson, is a local hockey referee and has played hockey for years. One of Hanson's hockey trophies, for most penalty minutes during the 1981-1982 season, is part of a hockey display at the elementary school. While dad roams the ice, Chancie sticks to the net as a goalie.

"Dad tried to play goalie once, but he hit his head and that was that," said Chancie, who wears number 33 in honor of Avalanche goalie Patrick Roy.