FPCHS Art Students Honored for Poster Designs

Two Flagler-Palm Coast High School students enrolled in Ed Beckett’s art class were awarded certificates and cash prizes for poster entries they designed for the annual Kids Ocean Day Florida. Zachary Dorries won the People’s Choice Selection and Yarieliz Morales Rios received the People’s Choice Honorable Mention for their colorful and informative designs promoting the environmental awareness and exhibit that was held last month at Gamble Rogers State Park.
 
Dylan Duchak’s poster was honored as the Official Selection winner by the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway, which hosts the annual event. Unfortunately, he was tied up taking an AP History honors test, so he was unable to attend the in-class ceremony. Zachary and Yarieliz received certificates and monetary awards from Danielle Anderson, the Friends of A1A’s administrator. Superintendent Cathy Mittelstadt, FPC Principal Bobby Bossardet and Assistant Principal Mandy Kravertoris also attended the Friday presentation and congratulated the winners.
 
The poster contest takes place annually and features artwork submitted by Beckett’s Advanced Digital Media students. The poster contest used to recognize only one winner—the Official Selection—chosen by the Friends of A1A board, but over the years, a second “People’s Choice” category was added in which the public weighed in on their favorite design.
 
This year, a third category—the People’s Choice Honorable Mention—was added because the Friends of A1A’s board was so impressed with Yarieliz’s work.
 
Dylan, who holds a pilot’s license and hopes to one day become a fighter pilot, earned not only a certificate to include in his portfolio, he also received a $100 prize. Zachary and Yarieliz each received certificates and a $50 prize.
 
According to Mr. Beckett, approximately 45 students from his advanced digital media classes in their second, third and fourth year, entered the contest. The veteran educator has engaged his art students in the Friends of A1A Kids Ocean Day Florida poster contest for the past six or seven years. This will be the last year of his involvement because he is retiring from teaching at the end of this term.