Martin County School District elementary students and their art teachers recently learned who were the winners of the 2023-2024 Kids Tag Art contest.
The 6th Annual Kids Tag Art Contest is a partnership between the Martin County Tax Collector's Office, MartinArts, and the Martin County School District.
The Kids Tag Art Program teaches students to creatively solve problems by designing unique vanity tags that can later be purchased by family, friends or the general public. All profits from the purchases go directly back to the classrooms.
On March 4 and March 5, Martin County Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski, Martin County Tax Collector Special Projects Coordinator Lidia Lejman, and Martin County Schools Coordinator Mark Cowles visited each elementary school to surprise this year’s winners.
“It’s a testament to our district and the amazing culture to see the excitement of not only the announced winners but also their classmates when the name is announced,” shared Cowles. “We are so thankful to our community for their support, specifically in this case to the Tax Collectors Office for their generosity. Martin County is a special place.”
Not only are the winning tags available for purchase in the form of a car plate, keychain, or bike plate, but all student submissions can be purchased. This provides families of ALL participating students the opportunity to have their artwork displayed wherever they travel.
Tags from previous years are also available for purchase. All information can be found on the Martin County Tax Collectors Website: https://martintaxcollector.com/other-services/kids-tag-art/
All winners will be honored at a special ceremony at The Children’s Museum of the Treasure Coast on Wednesday, March 27, 2024. The event will begin at 6 p.m. with a special performance by the Crystal Lake Elementary School Chorus.
Port Salerno Elementary School: Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski, Art Teacher Ashley Monks, Principal Award Winner Dayana Argueta Chun, Principal Lauren Gifford
Citrus Grove Elementary School: Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski, Art Teacher Stephanie Watson, Principal Award Winner Ava Ricketts, Principal Rose Rynca
Pinewood Elementary School: Principal Susanna Deutsch, Principal Award Winner Bruno Bonaccorso, Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski, Art Teacher Traci Hochstetter, Assistant Principal Amy Porter
Jensen Beach Elementary School: Assistant Principal Jamie Law, “Catch of the Day” Winner Charlotte Pollen, Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski
Jensen Beach Elementary School: Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Principal Award Winner Sabal Tobin, Assistant Principal Law
Jensen Beach Elementary School: Award of Distinction Winner Harlo Jackson
Palm City Elementary School: Principal Sarah Lauren Rabener, “Behind the Badge” Winner Cooper Pitt, Art Teacher Martha Saum, Tax Collector Pietruszewski
Crystal Lake Elementary School: Principal Brenda Watkins, Principal Award Winner Elianna Ward, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Art Teacher Joelle Farley
J.D. Parker Elementary School: Art Teacher Leah Sacks, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Tax Collectors Award Winner Dylan DeCarlo, Principal Award Winner Yaylin Mercado-Calderon, Principal Aimee Morrell
Warfield Elementary School: Assistant Principal Angie Gilbride, Principal Award Winner Andrew Juarez Alvarez, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Art Teacher Maria Carolina Domingo
Hobe Sound Elementary School: Assistant Principal David Axton, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Principal Award Winner Layla Adamo, “Wagging Tail” Winner Layla Wilson, Principal Dianne Memmer-Novak, Art Teacher Jill Stuart
Bessey Creek Elementary School: Principal Stacy Schmit, Art Teacher William Henderson, Principal Award Winner Malia Kavouklis, Malia’s Mom Dana Kavouklis, Tax Collector Pietruszewski
Palm City Elementary School: Principal Award Winner Maya Durbin
SeaWind Elementary School: Art Teacher Claudia Gonzalez, “Life Is Better By The Water” Winner Janelly Santiago, Principal Jennifer Michels, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Principal Award Winner Emma Ingram
Felix A Williams Elementary School: Art Teacher Laura Kane, Principal Award Winner Trevi Gallagher, Tax Collector Pietruszewski, Principal Sarah Tuthill
Martin County Tax Collector Ruth Pietruszewski, Martin County School District Coordinator Mark Cowles, Martin County Tax Collector Special Projects Coordinator Lidia Lejman