CLEWISTON, FL. -- The Lake Okeechobee Business Alliance is proud to announce its first county-wide art contest, that aims to raise awareness and provoke discussion among youth whose families live and/or work in the Everglades Region to answer the question “what is it like living in the Glades?” With art, the Lake O Alliance seeks to tell the story of the Glades communities through un-jaded eyes.
Florida’s water quality woes and Everglades restoration have been critical topics for all Floridians this past year. Environmental groups have chosen to point the finger at farmers in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) for water pollution and subsequently claim a 60,000-acre land purchase south of Lake Okeechobee to build a water storage reservoir the answer to fixing Florida’s water issues and restoring the Everglades. The South Florida Water Management District and several independent research institutions on the other hand, say the science and data do not support an EAA land purchase. With the threat of having more productive farmland in the EAA take away looming over Glades residents’ heads, many in the Everglades Region are in constant worry over job losses and their livelihoods.
Hendry County Superintendent Paul Puletti fully supports the youth art contest stating, Imagery of this summer’s algae bloom along with negative commentary about farming in our area has made headlines. I think it’s great this project will be pushing science further out into the public.
The month-long art contest will begin February 1st. The Lake Okeechobee Business Alliance (Lake O Alliance) aims to create a fun competition while educating and motivating youth who live, work, and play in the Everglades Region to be proud of their community and way of life. The organization has plans to hold similar contests in Okeechobee, Glades, and Western Palm Beach counties in the months ahead.
Board members of the Lake O Alliance plan to hold additional contests in Glades, Okeechobee, and Western Palm Beach counties in the months ahead. The Lake O Alliance board will judge the contest and select one winner and one runner-up from each grade category based on composition, creativity, and issue impact. Winners will receive cash prizes as well as a Lake Okeechobee boat tour, compliments of Roland Martin Marina.
Contest Period:
The contest begins February 1, 2017 and ends on February 22, 2017
Who Can Enter:
The contest is open to all K-12 students in Hendry County.
How to Enter:
Artwork rules and regulations can be found on Lake Okeechobee Business Alliance’s website (www.lakeOalliance.org) or picked up from any Hendry County School front office. Submissions may be turned in to a Hendry County School front office or mailed directly to Lake O Alliance, PO BOX 2953 Clewiston, FL 33440, on or before February 22, 2017.
Winners will be announced February 28th, 2017.
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