Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez Announces Winners of the 2024 Florida Space Art Contest for K-5 Students
The Floridant/10286434

Trending...
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ~ TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The winners of the Third Annual Florida Space Art Contest have been announced by Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez. The contest, which was launched earlier this year, received a record-breaking number of submissions from students in grades K-5 across the state.

Nuñez expressed her pleasure in announcing the 12 finalists and two grand prize winners for this year's contest. She also thanked all the students who participated and commended their creativity and imagination.

The President and CEO of Space Florida, Rob Long, also congratulated the winners and finalists for their impressive artwork. He stated that their pieces not only showcase their fascination with space but also highlight the bright future of space exploration.

Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. also extended his congratulations to this year's winners and finalists. He emphasized the importance of students learning about Florida's rich history in space exploration, as it is known as the "space capital" of the nation.

More on The Floridant
The theme for this year's contest was "Suit Up! Florida's Space Suit of the Future," and students were instructed to submit an original two-dimensional artwork. The 12 finalists were selected from over 2,600 submissions in two categories: K-2 and 3-5.

The finalists will each receive two tickets to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Additionally, two lucky grand prize winners will have their artwork launched into space on an upcoming mission.

The 12 finalists for this year's contest are Paris McTaw from Wauchula Elementary School, Michelle He from Academy at the Lakes, Jason Ritnour from Kenwood Elementary School, Vanessa Wesbur from Wright Elementary School, Gabriel Angeli from Lowry Elementary School, Penelope Wong from Calusa Elementary School, Isabella Wesbur from Northwest Florida Ballet Academie, Sharon Gao from Mitchell Elementary School, Natalie Kimtia from Christ's Church Academy, Ethan Jimenez-Almesiga from Florida Christian School, Annabelle Domingo from John I. Smith K-8 Center, and Laiona Lai from Water Spring Elementary School.

More on The Floridant
The two grand prize winners are Gabriel Angeli from Lowry Elementary School and Natalie Kimtia from Christ's Church Academy. Their artwork will be flown into space on an upcoming SpaceX mission targeted for this year.

Nuñez congratulated the two grand prize winners and expressed her excitement in recognizing their talent, creativity, and imagination in the near future.

The artwork of all the finalists can be viewed on FloridaSpaceArt.com. The contest was made possible by sponsors such as SpaceX, Space Florida, Florida Department of State Division of Arts and Culture, and the Florida Department of Education.

Space Florida is the state's aerospace finance and development authority that provides critical business financing opportunities for the aerospace industry. They also manage infrastructure investment in the state's spaceport system and facilitate research and development, workforce, education, and investment programs.

Filed Under: Government, State

Show All News | Disclaimer | Report Violation

0 Comments

Latest on The Floridant