Adopt-a-Beach Art Contest Opens

Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson is calling for entries in the 19^th annual Adopt-A-Beach “Treasures of the Texas Coast” children’s art contest. The deadline to submit artwork is Tuesday, March 3.

“Many little Texans never get to go to the beach, but this contest is an easy way to help teach them about the natural beauty of the Texas coast,” Patterson said. “If we want future generations to protect this treasure, it’s essential they learn why it’s worth protecting.”

Commissioner-elect George P. Bush, who takes office on Jan. 2, will select the grand prize winner. This year’s grand prize winner will receive two round-trip coach-class tickets from United Airlines to any United destination in the 48 contiguous U.S., one 7-night Caribbean cruise from Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines departing out of Galveston, Miami or Ft. Lauderdale, and a class party at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels.

The grand prize winner’s teacher will also receive two round-trip coach-class tickets from United Airlines, and one 7-night Caribbean cruise courtesy of Royal Caribbean Cruises.

Ten winners will be chosen from each of four grade-level categories (K – 2^nd, 3^rd – 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th). One grand prize winner will be chosen from among the 40 finalists.  All 40 winners will receive a ticket to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, two all-day passes to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, two tickets to the Burke Baker Planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a certificate of recognition and prizes from the Texas General Land Office and a calendar displaying the winning artwork.

The art contest began in 1996 to mark the 10^th anniversary of the Adopt-a-Beach Program.  The annual competition encourages Texas school children to learn more about the Texas coast and express what they’ve learned through their art.

Contest rules and parental release forms can be found at www.texasadoptabeach.org.  Each contest entry must be postmarked by Tuesday, March 3, 2015, and submitted on an 8 ½-inch by 11-inch sheet of white paper.