Christmas Island Style Contest Winners Announced

It’s that time of year again. The holidays are fast approaching, the island’s getting busier, and our beloved Christmas Island Style is in full swing.

Each year Christmas Island Style hosts an art competition for Marco Island Charter Middle School students. The annual contest gives sixth, seventh and eighth graders the opportunity to show off their creative side. Students are tasked with designing a holiday-inspired drawing based on a predetermined theme. This year, they had to incorporate pelicans into their designs.

According to Christmas Ornament Co-Chair Bette McGilvray, the theme is chosen randomly, though it always focuses on some aspect of life on Marco Island.

“It’s just something related to Marco Island,” Mc- Gilvray said. “Something that is really flora, fauna, animal, fish, shells—this year the pelican for something that’s indigenous to the area.”

The winning drawing is transferred onto an ornament and sold at various shops around the island. You can now purchase 2017 winner Fabiola Lopez’s hibiscus themed ornament at the Marco Island Center for the Arts, Keep in Touch, Marco Island Florist, the Marco Island Chamber of Commerce and Marco Island Craft and Shell Company, as well as online at christmasislandstyle.com.

Prominent community members, Christmas Is- land Style affiliates, and even Senator Kathleen Passidomo congregated at the Marco Island Center for the Arts to determine the 2018 winners and honorable mentions.

The competition was fierce. Over 131 students participated. Only six were chosen.

This year first place went to seventh grader Jaden Conrad. Eighth grader Jillian Cartwright took home second place and seventh grader Mckenna Broxson took home third. Honorable mentions went equally to eighth graders Amelia Dorris, Phoenix Gutierrez and Brenna White.

According to McGilvray many of the judges commented on how difficult the selection process was. There were many talented students to choose from. The judges wish to extend their thanks to all the charter school students who participated as well as art teacher Mrs. Gigi Garraty.

The winners will be introduced at the annual Marco Island Christmas Tree Lighting on December 2nd at 6 PM at Veterans Community Park, 901 Park Avenue.

For more information on Christmas Island Style visit: www.christmasislandstyle.com.

Participating 2018 Judges:

State Senator Kathleen Passidomo Charlette Roman, Vice Chair Marco Island City Council Alex Parker III, President of Marco Island Chamber of Commerce Jacki Strategos, Board of Directors, Marco Island Area Association of Realtors Richard Droste, Premiere Sotheby’s Real Estate Co. Linda Johns, Administrative Asst., Marco Island Association of Realtors Cindy Crane and Ed Crane, Marco Island Men’s Club Myriam Kriel, Graphic Arts Designer, Marco Island Center for the Arts