KUA Announces Student Art Contest Winners

Placeholder image

KISSIMMEE, Fla., November 18, 10:30 am – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) has announced the winners in its ninth annual calendar art contest for third, fourth and fifth grade Osceola County students. The contest is part of an ongoing effort by the utility to increase electrical safety awareness among children.
Every year in the U.S., tens of thousands of people are killed or injured from contact with electricity. In fact, one person is electrocuted in the home every 25 hours, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These types of accidents are also the leading cause of death for children younger than 5, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Research shows that many of these tragedies can be avoided by following simple safety tips in the home.
A total of 949 entries were received from 26 Osceola County elementary schools, including public, private and charter schools. The artwork was judged by Barbara Olson, columnist, Osceola News-Gazette; Aida Sifontes, Osceola County’s 2002 Teacher of the Year; Ken Smith, Osceola County Commissioner and President of the Foundation for Osceola Education, Inc.; and Kip Watson, Executive Director, Osceola Center for the Arts.
The winners are:

– First United Methodist School – Kendall Knight, grade 3; Courtney Matthews, grade 3; Alexander Miller, grade 3

– Heritage Christian School – Tarsis Ruiz, grade 4

– Kissimmee Charter Elementary – David Osser, grade 5; Michael Otero, grade 4

– Life Academy – Lynnette Olivo, grade 3

– Mill Creek Elementary – Chantelle Fernandez, grade 5

– Pleasant Hill Elementary – Lindsay Romero, grade 5

– Poinciana Elementary – Nicole Contreras, grade 3

– Reedy Creek Elementary – Maneesh Vellanki, grade 3

– Ross E. Jeffries Elementary – Logan Blanton, grade 4
Every student who submitted artwork to KUA will be honored with a letter of appreciation, a copy of the full-color calendar, and a chance to win four tickets to the Disney park of their choice. The twelve winning students will receive a $75 cash prize and have their artwork published in the 2003 calendar.
The calendars will be distributed free of charge in December at KUA’s customer service center.
KUA is Florida’s 6th largest community-owned utility serving 58,000 electric, water and Internet customers in three Central Florida counties.

Contact: Chris Gent, Manager of Corporate Communications
(407) 933-7777 ext. 1116
[email protected]