Home / Press / Children’s Art Competition

Children’s Art Competition Recognizes 27 Outstanding Students

Twenty-seven Lee County students were recognized for their outstanding artistic talent as part of the Art of the Olympians' Children's Art Competition on Tuesday, December 14. The Children’s Art Program was open to all students in the Lee County School system, grade K – 12.

More than 120 children, parents & teachers came to support the outstanding winners during a special presentation of medal at the Al Oerter Center for Excellence. Bronze, Silver and Gold finished medals were awarded in three age groups K-5, 6-8 and 9-12. Because of AOTO’s relationship with the United States Olympic Committee, in a rare occurrence and as special honor that these medals include the five-ringed USA Olympic logo. All student participants of the art competition will receive a certificate of participation.

Eighteen of the Lee County Schools participated with nearly 3,000 students submitting artwork to their teachers. Participating Lee County teachers selected the best drawings from their classes based on use of color, technique, creativity and artistic expression to submit to AOTO for final judging.

Each groups had three award categories – Best Use of Color, Best Artistic Expression and Most Creative. Visiting Olympic medalist and artist Jean-Blaise Evequoz, Olympian Artist Liston Bochette and AOTO Chairwoman Caty Oerter conducted the final-round judging.

The Children’s Art Program is aimed at raising awareness on Olympism and the Ancient Olympic values of excellence in mind, body and spirit. Through this program, AOTO hopes to encourage youth to strive toward excellence every day. By creating excitement and encouraging youth to explore new possibilities in academics, arts and athletics, AOTO hopes to provide a positive outlet for dreams to be charted and attained.

“The Children’s Art Program reached out to an entire school system of diversely unique individuals with distinctive artistic voices waiting to be heard. AOTO would like to congratulate and thank all of the students for their participation,” said Liston Bochette, AOTO Board Member.

Children's Art Competition Winners

Age Group: K- 5 grades

Best Use of Color

• Gold medal - Malcolm Ramsey - 4th grade, Edison Park Elementary
• Siver medal - Guadelupe Mendoza - 4th grade, Sunshine Elementary
• Bronze medal - Ethan Leung - 5th grade, Edison Park Elementary

Best Artistic Expression

• Gold medal - Jaxon Bollard - Kindergarten, San Carlos Park Elementary
• Silver medal - Jada Bunton - 1st grade, Sunshine Elementary
• Bronze medal - Melissa Delmasse - 5th grade, Ray V. Pottorf Elementary

Most Creative

• Gold medal - Hunter Davis - 4th grade, Edison Park Elementary
• Bronze medal - Sam Finley - 5th grade, Edison Park Elementary

Age Group; 6-8th grades

Best Use of Color

• Gold medal - Angel Sanchez - 8th grade, James Stephens International Academy
• Silver medal - Gabriel Eid - 7th grade, Cypress Lake Middle School

Best Artistic Expression

• Gold medal - Ariel Pincus - 8th grade, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School

Most Creative

• Gold medal - Mitchell Goerke - 8th grade, Cypress Lake Middle School
• Bronze medal - Karen Diaz - 8th grade, James Stephens International Academy

Age Group: 9-12th grades

Best Use of Color

• Gold medal - Lauren Munzert - 11th grade, Ida Baker High School
• Silver medal - Valerie Alvarez - 12th grade, Richard Melbourne Academy
  Lisandra Gonzalez - 11th grade, Island Coast High School
  Indigo McDonald - 9th grade, Cypress Lake High School
• Bronze medal - Hanna Brasacchio - 10th grade, Ida Baker High School

Best Artistic Expression

• Gold medal - Amanda Luiso - 12th grade, Fort Myers High School
• Silver medal - Angelina Zuniga-Reed - 10th grade, North Fort Myers High School
  Courtney Strait - 11th grade, Riverdale High School
Bronze medal - Alexis Machia - 11th grade, Riverdale High School

Most Creative

• Gold medal - Taylor Roberts - 12th grade, Estero High School
• Silver medal - Dru Blassingale - 12th grade, Ida Baker High School
• Bronze medal - Jacob Flores - 11th grade, Estero High School
  Kim Guenther - 12th grade, Cypress Lake High School

Special Award in Bronze for diversity of medium - Marco Villa, 12th grade, Riverdale High School