Wildwood Elks Lodge Awards Students’ Holiday Artwork

WILDWOOD – The Greater Wildwood Fraternal Elks Lodge No. 1896 sponsored its annual holiday window decorating contest for students and art teachers from four schools located in the Wildwoods: Wildwood Elementary School, Margaret Mace Elementary, Cape Trinity Catholic, and Crest Memorial School.
According to a release, art teachers from each school selected two of their top art students from grades six through eight to compete. 
Six-by-eight-foot windows at the Wildwoods Convention Center facing the Boardwalk between Montgomery and Burk avenues were the canvases on which the students painted original holiday-themed artwork over two days. Judges from the Wildwoods Convention Center and the Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority (GWTIDA) rated the artwork based on creativity, theme and artistic talent.
A total of $475 in prize money was awarded by the Greater Wildwood Fraternal Elks. 
The top four winners each receive cash awards; and a donation of $100 was given by the Elks to each participating school’s art program to encourage the continuation of arts in the schools.
The holiday window decorating contest winners were:
First Place – $150 to Lisa Cheriti, Crest Memorial for her design of snowmen on the beach and wish of “Peace on the Beach and Goodwill to Wildwood.”
Second Place – $100 to Rebeka Leyva, Wildwood Elementary for her design of surfing Santa.
Third Place – $75 to Lilly Taylor, Wildwood Elementary for her design of the Grinch.
Fourth Place – $50 to Ellen Mkrtchyan, Crest Memorial for her design of Olaf and Sven.
“We’re thrilled to offer this event once again as part of our ongoing youth activities program and efforts to encourage arts in the schools and fun friendly competition,” stated George Greenland, Greater Wildwood Fraternal Elks Lodge 1896 youth activities director. “We love to give back to our community and what better way than by encouraging our local children to express and showcase their artistic talents and by donating money to help improve their arts education.”