Philip Simmons High School Senior, Caroline Davey Wins the 2025 Directory Cover Entitled Old Santee Canal Otter
MONCKS CORNER, SC February 18, 2025 –A furry native and prolific swimmer from the Old Santee River is the winning subject of the 2025 Home Telecom Directory Art Challenge competition this year. Created by Philip Simmons High School Senior Caroline Davey, the indigenous South Carolina Canal Otter will be the last cover art featured on the Home Telecom Directory after a 75-year run.
This 11th annual contest marks the final one, as the March 2025 Home Telecom directory will be the final printed directory published. In order to mark this special edition, all artwork submissions (including our overall winners) were compiled into a collage to highlight the effort all the students have put into this challenge this year. Caroline Davey’s artwork will have a featured location encompassing the back cover of the Directory.
For the past 11 years, The Home Telecom Directory Art Challenge has been one of Home Telecom’s long-running education outreach programs, aimed at spotlighting art departments and gifted students across the Berkeley County School District. Home Telecom would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the students who participated in this contest, the Berkeley County School District, and to the Art teachers for their help in making this Art Challenge so successful over the years. It has truly been our privilege to spotlight the incredibly talented youth in our local schools.
Students compete for the best artistic depiction of low country scenes, historical locations, or local events.
While Caroline’s overall first place showing earns the cover spot, Home Telecom also recognized Cane Bay Middle School eighth grader, Elise Jurica who took home second place for her Reflections of Cypress Serenity, and fifth grader, Zilin Fang from Hanahan Elementary School took home third place overall for his Fall Snack.
“Every year we call it an art challenge,” said Gina Shuler, Vice President of Marketing at Home Telecom. “But the true challenge is on those of us who must choose the winning submissions from so many incredibly talented young artists in our community."
“A student’s flair for nature, talent for capturing a special moment in time, relaying a season, and in presenting their vision in living color is amazing. And we cannot forget the art instructors in our schools who are teaching children how to bring their visions to life. They are truly gifted.”
Shuler offers kudos to all the art teachers and educators across Berkeley County, but especially to those who encourage their students to participate in the contest every year including Diedre Twohig, Jessica Wade and Paige Duvall whose students participated in sharing their deep skill and knowledge.
Over the course of 11 years, Home Telecom has awarded over $60,000 to participating art departments in the Berkeley County school system.
Each year, the three schools with overall winners receive $1,000 each in funding for placing first in each category. Schools with students who place at different levels in the contest also receive funding between $100 to $500.