Okaloosa County Tax Collector Ben Anderson and Sheriff Eric Aden presented certificates to the winners of the Kids Tag Art Program during a packed Okaloosa County School Board meeting Monday evening.
- Superintendent Marcus Chambers joined Anderson and Aden in recognizing two winners from each participating school.
The Kids Tag Art program serves as both an art contest for 5th graders and a fundraiser, allowing students to design their own specialty license plates that can be purchased by family members and used as art or on the front of a vehicle. Proceeds from school sales remain within that school.
The program, a partnership between the Tax Collector’s Office and the School District since 2013, has recently gained sponsorship from the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office due to their Community Partnership with the School District in providing School Resource Officers for student safety and welfare.
This school year, the Kids Tag Art program earned $18,124.00 through in-school sales and local sponsorships. Anderson emphasized the importance of this non-tax generated revenue for school art programs, stating that each participating school received checks for $800.00 via the Public Education Foundation.
- Since its inception in 2013, the program has generated $155,167 for school arts programs in Okaloosa County.
Here are the winners from each school:
Bluewater:
- Claire Paiz
- Elayna Feddon
Bob Sikes:
- Karlie Sanchez
- Anna Dickelman
Edge:
- Riley Sharpe
- Gracelyn Perschke
Elliott Point:
- Dallis Gallagher
- Axel Palma
Kenwood:
- Sabine McBride
- Parker Sims
Northwood:
- Angelique Guzman
- Stephanie Antunez Penaloza
Plew:
- Dasha Medvedeva
- Lilyana Wight
Shalimar:
- Jayceon Gainer
- Paris McQueen
Silver Sands:
- Jacob Huggins
- Charlotte Sullivan
Southside Primary:
- Lailah Garcia
Walker:
- Joseph Avanetes
- Blake Moyers
Special Awards: Tax Collector’s Choice – Ava Auter (Bluewater)
Sheriff’s Choice – Aayla Powell (Bob Sikes)
Superintendent’s Choice – Macy Phillips (Plew)
