LEE COUNTY, Fla. (March 28, 2025) – The Lee County Tax Collector and the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools honored 91 fifth-grade students with Awards of Distinction for their outstanding creativity in the annual Kids Tag Art program. The celebration of young artists, held at Cypress Lake High School, recognized student achievements and provided critical funding to support elementary art classrooms across the district.

The program’s continued success resulted in 45 elementary art teachers receiving $600 each to enhance their classrooms. Since its inception in 2016, Kids Tag Art has raised over $291,000 for local elementary art programs.

“This program is about helping students to see how creativity connects to real-world opportunities,” said Noelle Branning, Lee County Tax Collector. “Through their designs, these students learn that their artistic talents can make an impact, and we’re proud to support both them and their teachers.”

Kids Tag Art is a program where fifth-grade students design a decorative, front-end license plate. The inspiration comes from Florida’s selection of 100 specialty plate options that fund important causes like education, environmental conservation, and health initiatives.

“Kids Tag Art is a perfect example of how partnerships can strengthen education,” said Marshall Bower, President & CEO of the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools. “This initiative connects students, teachers, businesses, and the community to ensure the arts remain a vital part of a student’s education.”

In addition to the Awards of Distinction, four students received special recognition for their themed designs:

• Suncoast Credit Union’s Florida Explorer Award – Celina Dominguez, Trafalgar Elementary School
• School District of Lee County’s School Spirit Award – Giovanni Rivera, Patriot Elementary School
• Foundation for Lee County Public Schools’ Community Heroes Award – Adrian Castillo, Trafalgar Elementary School
• Tax Collector’s Choice Award – Adriana Valdez, Allen Park Elementary School

Additionally, Michele Sipos from San Carlos Park Elementary received the Teacher’s Tag Art Award, recognizing her unique plate design and dedication to arts education.

This year, more than 4,000 students participated in the Kids Tag Art program. The public can view and purchase student artwork at LeeTC.com/2024-25schools, with proceeds continuing to support elementary art education in Lee County.

The event was made possible by generous sponsors, including Suncoast Credit Union, The Community Foundation, Edison National Bank/Bank of the Islands, Grant Street Group, Lee County Electric Co-Op (LCEC), JP Morgan, and D-Print.

For more details about the ceremony head to the Foundation for Lee County Public School’s website.