Southside Middle School Student Wins Statewide Coffee Art Contest
Quantum Mines, a 13-year-old student at Southside Middle School, was selected as the winner for the Javámo Coffees Art for Autism Contest, a new contest designed to raise awareness for Autism.
Artwork from around the state of Florida poured into the Javámo offices from children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder vying for the opportunity for their artwork to appear on a limited release coffee bag during Autism Awareness month in April.
“Our Autism Awareness bag will hopefully present an image of coffee that is unique and fun, as interpreted through the eyes of a very special child,” said Javámo Coffees President Vicky Westra. “Quantum’s artwork just reminds us again that in the battle against autism, there are many ‘little victories’ that we can celebrate… and this bag is certainly a celebration!”
Quantum received his award, a commemorative plaque and a basket filled with a wide array of art supplies, during a press conference in the school’s media center.
In addition to having the first-place winner, Southside Middle also had another student, Joey Thompson, selected as the second-place winner.
“We are so proud of Quantum and Joey,” said Kelly Delaney, art teacher at Southside Middle. “Our art department strives to make sure all of our students have the opportunity to express their creative abilities.”
Vicky and Pier Westra, owners of Tampa-based Javámo Coffees (which translated is a combination of “coffee” and “love” in Spanish), have committed themselves and their company to supporting Autism programs after their adopted daughter was diagnosed with Autism. Twenty-five percent of all web proceeds from the Art for Autism Blend will be donated to Autism-related charities during the month of April. Javámo Coffees can be found in select Fresh Market and Publix Super Market locations.
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