Students’ Visual Arts Talents Featured in NY Gallery Exhibition

by Kerry Padrick | Nov 30, 2017 | Press Releases

FORT PIERCE, FL –  New York’s BFA Photography & Video School of Visual Arts selected the works of gifted student artists from Fort Pierce Central High School for an exhibit entitled 2017 America. Fourteen students from Ms. Heather Blackmon-Gordon’s classes have their works on display at the SVA Gramercy Gallery in New York City.  The total exhibit features a wide range of artistic perspectives from over 30 states.

Blackmon-Gordon said about her students, “I enjoy giving them the opportunity to showcase their talents and compete at a national level.  Exhibitions such as this provide recognition for my students and the Visual Arts Program in St. Lucie County.”  Students whose works are currently on display at 2017 America are: Mark Allen, Alanis Aviles, Gabriella Borges, Deana Diejuste, Alexis Boyd, Caitlyn Brady, Elizabeth Branch, Yesenia Carona, Mario Marin, Jessica Hoyt, Sienna Medina, Evan Bongart, and Mariela Vertiz.

2017 America is an exhibit that provides visitors an opportunity to gain insight into what young Americans are thinking.  The range of artistic perspectives is varied, from personal to political, with an array of creative talents on display for viewers to appreciate.

About St. Lucie Public Schools

St. Lucie Public Schools is a B rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest ranking School District on the Treasure Coast.  The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit, http://www.stlucieschools.org.

FGMS Advances in Samsung’s National STEAM Contest

by Kerry Padrick | Nov 30, 2017 | Press Releases

FORT PIERCE, FL – Forest Grove Middle School moves on as a national finalist in Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow Contest, a program that encourages students to solve real-world issues in their community using classroom skills in science, technology, engineering, arts and math (STEAM). Principal Monarae Miller-Buchanan stated that Ms. Cole’s 6th, 7th and 8th grade MOA Prep classroom is one of 255 national finalists chosen based on their STEAM proposal to address pollutants contributed by urban runoff that affects local waterways, Indian River Lagoon and the ocean. “Our students are passionate about applying their skills and challenging one another to reach new levels of achievement on this project. This is their home and they want to make a positive difference for their future,” she said.

To tackle this project, students will apply STEAM to reduce pollutants by testing water qualities, composting vegetative debris for further industrial use, growing native plants, using underwater robotics to remove layers of toxic muck that keep natural plant life from growing, and applying Kilroy systems to continuously monitor water quality to name a few items on their agenda. As one of five state finalists in Florida, Ms. Cole will win a Samsung Chromebook® to use in her classroom.

Forest Grove Middle School will now have the opportunity to advance in the competition for additional classroom technology prizes. Ms. Cole is currently working on an Activity Plan outlining how her students will execute their project. If Ms. Cole is named the Florida State Winner in December, Forest Grove Middle School will receive a $25,000 Samsung technology package!

If the Forest Grove Middle School Bulldogs win the judges’ favor at the state level, the next move is nationals. Ten national finalists will be selected to attend a Pitch Event where they will pitch their project to a panel of judges. For achieving national finalist status, seven schools will receive a $50,000 Samsung technology package. The other three will progress to the national winner stage. Three national winners will be selected and each will receive a $150,000 Samsung technology package.

###

About St. Lucie Public Schools

St. Lucie Public Schools is a B rated District with no failing schools proudly serving the students as the second highest ranking School District on the Treasure Coast.  The mission of SLPS is to ensure all students graduate from safe and caring schools equipped with the knowledge, skills and desire to succeed. For more information, visit, http://www.stlucieschools.org.