FORT WALTON BEACH, FL (May 7, 2025) — The Okaloosa Arts Alliance would like to thank all the Okaloosa County School students who participated in the 16th annual OAA Okaloosa County School Poster Contest. This year the theme was “Arts in Outer Space”. Although we couldn't make everyone a 1st place winner, all 138 entries were on display at the Emerald Coast Science Center on Sunday, May 4th. All in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the artwork, live music by Grow Your Gift Conservatory of Music and food provided by Twisted Grape. Special thanks to the Emerald Coast Science Center for hosting the poster contest reception and to Melissa Forte Litscher from NextHome Cornerstone Realty for being an event sponsor.
Participating schools include Rocky Bayou Christian School, Crestview High School, Kenwood Elementary, Montessori Learning Center, Village Christian Academy, Risen Star Academy, St Mary Catholic School, Meigs Middle School, and Ruckel Middle School. Eglin Federal Credit Union generously donated gift cards for the winners. Additionally, HH Arts & Arts & Design Society generously donated an arts supplies bag to each of the 1st place winners and the Viewer’s Choice award winners and the Emerald Coast Science Center included tickets. The winners and honorable mentions are as follows:
Elementary School Division (K-4th)
First Place: Christine Blatz- 1st grade-Montessori Learning Center
Second Place: Rachel Ard- Kindergarten- Montessori Learning Center
Third Place: Alexa Gonzalez- 4th grade- Kenwood Elementary
Viewer’s Choice: Alec Pena - Kindergarten- Village Christian Academy
Honorable Mention: Sophia D’Alesandro, 3rd Grade, Kenwood Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Sophia Shumakova, 3rd Grade, Kenwood Elementary School
Honorable Mention: Greta Jones- 4th grade- Montessori Learning Center
Middle School Division (5th-8th)
First Place: Aria Berry- 8th grade at Rocky Bayou Christian School
Second Place: Ahymn Kim- 6th grade at Ruckel Middle School
Third Place: Trinity Ricciardi- 6th grade at Rocky Bayou Christian School
Viewer’s Choice: Ahymn Kim- 6th grade at Ruckel Middle School
Honorable Mention: Amelia Martindale- 8th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Kezia Andrade- 7th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Summer Lovell, 7th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Julianna Kenney, 8th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Kylie Wilbanks, 5th grade, Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Sarah Kirk, 8th grade, St Mary Catholic School
High School Division (9th-12th)
First Place: Jingxuan Lee Song- 10th grade - Crestview High School
Second Place: Ryan Jaime - 11th grade - Crestview High School
Third Place: Kennedy Glenn- 12th grade - Crestview High School
Viewer’s Choice: Jingxuan Lee Song- 10th grade - Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: Juliette Schopmeyer-9th grade- Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Dasha Ayala-9th grade-Crestview High School
Honorable Mention: River Grimes- 9th grade- Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Rebekah Sun- 9th grade - Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Laura Ogden-11th grade- Risen Star Academy
Honorable Mention: Katherine Ding -11th grade- Rocky Bayou Christian School
Honorable Mention: Molly Proulx-11th grade- Rocky Bayou Christian School
For more photos go to https://www.okaloosaarts.org/annual-oaa-poster-contest-2024.html
About Okaloosa Arts Alliance (OAA): The OAA is the official local arts agency for Okaloosa County, dedicated to supporting and promoting the arts through advocacy, education, and marketing.
