Student artists aid ‘Leave the Scene Clean’ effort
Two West Zone students was among one of the art contest winners for the Keep Lee County Beautiful annual “Leave the Scene Clean” art contest.
Submissions were from public, private and homeschool students in Lee County who created illustrations regarding an environmentally responsible action through art. The submissions were evaluated on artistic execution, originality, and alignment with key environmental themes, including litter prevention, recycling, community cleanup and environmental protection.
There were four first-place winners – Daniela Rodriguz from Mirror Lakes Elementary grades K-3; Cathy Cheribin from Three Oaks Middle School grades 4-6; Alejandra Alfonso Sanchez from Mariner Middle School grades 7-9 and Mia De La Cruz Matos from North Fort Myers High School grades 10-12.
Alejandra, who began attending Mariner Middle last year, took lots of art classes in Cuba where she did a similar drawing and had guidance from her teacher. With what she learned, she adapted a new theme, which is centered around glass that symbolizes “us protecting it” – the environment.
The flashlight – the glass – aluminates the forest and protection of the environment.
The green heart over the hands represents the natural world.
Alejandra said this is the first time she won a contest, which she is very happy about, especially in another country.
The seventh grader enjoys dabbling in abstract art as she does not have to be perfect.
North Fort Myers High School Assistant Principal Joy Marks said Mia withdrew from North Fort Myers and the School District of Lee County on Jan 10 to attend school out of state.
The winners’ illustrations will be enlarged and placed on Lee County Waste Pro trucks, as well as printed on reusable bags. The bags will be released in the fall for a $5 donation at participating Lee County Schools. The schools will retain the proceeds collected and used for campus environmental projects.
The overall winning and honorable mention artwork will be on display during the month of April in honor of Earth month.
An award reception, hosted by Keep Lee County Beautiful, will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Riverside Community Center on March 31. The winners will receive their awards during the reception.
The Honorable Mention winners and their schools are:
Grade K-3:
Sofia Mesa Aquilar – Mirror Lakes Elementary
Amaya Batista Lara – Mirror Lakes Elementary
Kamyla Serrano Marcheco – Mirror Lakes Elementary
Grade 4-6:
Isla Ranes – Tanglewood Elementary
Emily Yang – Rayma C. Page Elementary
Jade Lily Ferreyra-Kaminski – Mariner Middle School
Grade 7-9:
Audrina Kantarze – North Fort Myers High School
Kamora Wilson – Harns Marsh Middle School
London Rose Maddison – Mariner Middle School
Grade 10-12:
Ana Petronijevic – North Fort Myers High School
Simone Torres Luna – Cypress Lake High School
Ellie Melton – Cypress Lake High School