MEXICO — Mountain Valley Middle School students had a chance Wednesday to learn how one illustrator became successful in an art he has always loved.

Ben Bishop, a graphic artist and writer from Portland, just won a state award for his illustrations in “Lost Trail,” a graphic true story of Donn Fendler’s, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine.” Bishop worked with Fendler and children’s author Lynn Plourde on the book.

School librarian Amy Ryder said the theme of outdoor survival was chosen for this year’s two-day event because of the number of middle schoolers who are involved with a variety of outdoor activities. She and a few other staff members organized the event for Wednesday and Thursday.

Each school’s annual special event revolves around a theme that blends well with reading and writing.

Every child and staff member in the school read “Lost Trail” before Bishop and the other participating volunteers arrived at the school Wednesday.

Along with Bishop, representatives from the Oxford County Sheriff’s Office, Maine State Police, a state all-terrain safety organization, equine and dog rescue groups and search and rescue groups, as well as game wardens and many others explained their roles related to outdoor survival.

“We try to work in events that connect kids to the learning experience,” said Principal Ryan Casey.

Bishop’s presentation focused on his determination to keep working in a field that he loved, despite experiencing many setbacks.

“I’ve drawn comic books since I was 4 years old,” the 27-year-old said.

His presentation showed middle schoolers how he had to follow a script and align the drawings with what was happening in the story.

Before Bishop received the contract from Down East Books to illustrate the Fendler story, he attended the Maine School for the Arts, collaborated with other illustrators and self-published several books.

His dogged determination won out. Down East has asked him to illustrate another Maine book, “The Poacher’s Son,” and Marvel Comics, the comic book company he contacted while still a youngster, has asked him to illustrate an upcoming series, “The Stand-In.”

Besides presenting “Lost Trail” and how to become an illustrator to the middle school students, Bishop planned a workshop for the students and their parents Wednesday night.

Ryder said many of the same presenters will attend Thursday.

“We’ve been so impressed with the community,” Ryder said.