The Okaloosa County School Board meeting Monday evening was filled with excitement as students, parents, teachers, and community leaders gathered to celebrate this year’s Kids Tag Art winners.
Tax Collector Ben Anderson, Superintendent Marcus Chambers, and Sheriff Eric Aden presented awards and certificates to students recognized for their outstanding artistic talent and creativity. Now in its thirteenth year, the Kids Tag Art program continues to combine art education with community support. The program gives elementary age students the opportunity to design a personalized specialty
license plate that can be displayed as artwork or mounted to the front of a vehicle. Family members and supporters may purchase the custom plates, with proceeds returning directly to the participating schools.
The program is a partnership between the Okaloosa County Tax Collector’s Office, the Okaloosa County School District and the Okaloosa Public Schools Foundation. The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, through its longstanding support of School Resource Officers across the district, has proudly served as the primary sponsor for the past decade. This year each participating school will receive $500! Since the program began in 2013, Kids Tag Art has generated more than $184,000 for elementary school art programs throughout Okaloosa County through sponsorships and plate sales. “This program gives students an opportunity to showcase their creativity while helping support art education in our schools,” said Tax Collector Ben Anderson. “It’s especially meaningful because these funds are generated through community involvement rather than taxpayer dollars.”
Community members interested in becoming a sponsor for future Kids Tag Art programs may contact Shari Flowers Bruns at 850-651-7669. This year’s winners are:
Bluewater:
Rocky Nelson
Cassia Nivison
Edge:
Savannah Vandezande
Mackenzie Enke
Kenwood:
McKenna Hatley
Eden Brush
Longwood:
Alexia Flores
Vikiany Diego Rochez
Northwood:
Victoria Yeomans
Truman Toberman
Plew:
Caitlyn Reese
Gabriel Pokorny
Shalimar:
Arilynn Bowen-Wilson
Farah Mehio
Silver Sands:
Alex SanchezHollenbeck
Fallen Plemmons
Southside:
Ava Bidarian
Ophelia Paulsen
Walker:
Sophia Piccone
Asia Lowe
Wright:
Katherine Corrales
Georgiana Parcell
