Home Telecom Congratulates 2023 Directory Art Challenge Winners

MONCKS CORNER, SC February 21, 2023 – High school senior, Micaela Hughes from Philip Simmons High School has won first place overall in Home Telecom’s 9th annual 2023 Directory Art Challenge. Her winning artwork called “Coronation of the King Fisher” will be featured on the new cover of Home Telecom’s latest telephone directory.

Home Telecom challenges art students from the Berkeley County School District to compete for the cover of the directory. They are looking for the best original artistic depictions of nature, historical scenes, and local events from the Lowcountry. Dozens of talented students ranging from elementary to high school, compete for the top award.

*High school senior, Micaela Hughes from Philip Simmons High School has won first place overall in Home Telecom’s 9th annual Directory Art Challenge.*

Ann Martinez, an eighth grader from Marrington Middle School of the Arts, took 2nd place overall with her artwork titled “Berkeley Nature”.

Fourth grader, Amaya Mahalungkar Gamez from Hanahan Elementary School won third place overall with her “Nightingales and Jessamines”.

Additionally, first, second and third place winners were also chosen for each grade category including high school, middle school, and elementary school.

Five students earned Honorable Mentions.“The artistic talent we see every year in our annual Directory Art Challenge never fails to amaze us at Home Telecom,” said Gina Shuler, vice president of Marketing at Home Telecom. “We are overwhelmed with the level of skill and the inspiration these creative students show every year. Choosing a single winner gets more difficult each year.”

Shuler continues, “Home Telecom thanks all of the students who participated in this contest, and we are grateful as well to the art teachers for their help and support in making this Art Challenge possible.”

The remaining Art Challenge recognitions in the high school category include 1st Place, Micaela Hughes; 2nd Place, Olivia Koehler from Cane Bay High School with “The Hatchling”; and 3rd Place went to Emaline Keizer at Stratford High School with her “Arboles de Carolina de sur”.

In the middle school category, 1st Place went to Ann Martinez; 2nd Place went to Cane Bay High School’s McKenna Judy with “A Boykin's Gift”; and Catherine Futch from Philip Simmons Middle School took 3rd Place with “Yellow Jasmine Breakfast”.

In the elementary school category, Amaya Mahalungkar Gamez took 1st Place; Zofia Malcher from Westview Elementary School took 2nd Place with “Geese On A Sunny Day”; and 3rd Place went to Taylor Grace Landreth from Daniel Island School with “The Bird of South Carolina”.

Honorable mentions went to Tayquan Watson from Timberland High School; Jennifer Lopez Solis from Hanahan Middle School; Macie Baggett from Mount Holly Elementary; Ada Martinez from Howe Hall Aims; and Madison Sargent from Philip Simmons Elementary.

*Fourth grader, Amaya Mahalungkar Gamez from Hanahan Elementary School won third place overall with her “Nightingales and Jessamines”.*

“When I saw the pieces that were being sent in for this competition, I was truly impressed,” said Cassandra Cowdrey, Visual and Performing Arts coordinator for Berkeley County School District. “There wasn’t a single piece of artwork where Berkeley County didn’t shine.

“Our art teachers enrich our students with such a deep knowledge of visual art and build an experience where the students will always find a part of visual art they will love.

“To see so many students receiving an award is inspiring. Inspiring for the future of Arts in Berkeley County, inspiring for the future of visual art programs in our schools and inspiring that the students are going to be the reason for it all!”

Home Telecom has awarded more than $5,700 in cash to the art departments of the three schools that have contest winners placing in any of the 3 categories. There is also a small donation made to schools who submitted artwork that receives an honorary mention. Over the past nine years, Home Telecom has contributed over $50,000 to art departments across the Berkeley County school system from this contest.