After weeks of competition, Darice Pollard, a recent graduate of Naples High School, was announced winner of the Teen Illustrator Contest for K is for Kids Foundation.
The announcement came at the foundation’s inaugural Top Leaders Reception held on Sunday, May 31st at the Hilton Naples.
Darice Pollard, winner of Teen Illustrator Contest, with one of her winning entries. Photo by Anne Alvarez, Gulf Coast High.
Darice was followed by runner up Celine Consolo, a rising senior at Barron Collier High School. Celine, a junior student at Barron Collier High School, said this was the first art competition she had entered.
Darice, however, is no stranger to competitions and has won scholarships before. Asked why she entered this contest, Darice said, “I actually entered the Teen Illustrator Contest because my art teacher, Mrs. Perez, exposed me to it in class one day. I was immediately drawn to it because it was a rare opportunity that would open a lot of doors for me as well as help build strong, young readers and creators around the nation, and hopefully the world! I love the thought of entertaining and making young children happy and healthy.”
Helping to inspire children to read more was the main goal of this contest. Contestants were given the opportunity to create their vision and interpretation for the children’s book “White Moon, Purple Sea and the Underwater Circus.”
Ronnie Ann Herman, one of the three judges and a literary agent of the Herman Agency in New York City, described the contest as being “a unique and exciting opportunity for the young participants, and it is very rewarding to see so much talent coming from Naples, FL teens!”
The five finalists (Kaileen McHugh, Kristina Cortada, Sarah Renfroe, Celine Consolo, & Darice Pollard) each presented amazing, inspiring artwork. The judges and K is for Kids Foundation congratulate all the artists for their hard work and look forward to seeing the book fully illustrated!
Winner, Darice Pollard, shares her remarkable artwork for the K is for Kids’ Teen Illustrator Contest for children’s book “White Moon, Purple Sea and the Underwater Circus” (from left) Jason Kurek, Darice Pollard, and Karen Clawson. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Darice with sister and grandmother. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Runner-up Celine Consolo (left) and winner Darice Pollard of Teen Illustrator Contest show one of their artwork entries. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
Celine Consolo, runner-up of the Teen Illustrator Contest, pauses for a photograph with her mother. A rising senior at Barron Collier High School, Celine said this was her first art competition. Photo by Ann Alvarez, a Gulf Coast High School student.
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Meet Our Student Photographer
Ann Alvarez, student photographer and rising senior at Gulf Coast H.S.
Many thanks to Ann Alvarez, student photographer and rising senior at Gulf Coast High School, who shot all the photos for K is for Kids’ “Top Leaders Reception” at Hilton Naples. K is for Kids is a teen-driven organization in which teens, particularly juniors and seniors nearing graduation, manage all aspects of the organization’s mission. K is for Kids is for the kids, by the kids, and with the kids!
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LITERACY IS OUR PLATFORM
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K is for Kids® Foundation Inc. is a not-for-profit organization registered in Florida, Registration No. CH25318 and is exempt from federal income tax under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION by the STATE.