Students from secondary schools across the island have submitted designs for the Jamaica50 endorsed Jamaica Independence T-Shirt Design Competition. The contest which is also supported by the Ministry of Education, called on students from over 250 secondary schools to illustrate what the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica means to them. The event organized by clothing company Zedrin Limited, gives students the opportunity to showcase their talents and patriotism, while raising money for their schools.

Competition organiser Marc Morgan, founder and CEO of Zedrin Limited explained “We wanted this initiative to be of value not just to young people but to their communities as well, so the top designs from these talented young people will be sold in retail stores and part proceeds from those sales will go back to the schools.”

Stephanie Campbell of the Jamaica 50 Secretariat remarked, “Jamaica 50 is proud to endorse this creative project, which shows the talents of our young people, while also highlighting the celebration of Jamaica’s 50th anniversary of Independence. We are in support of Zedrin’s initiative to showcase these designs, while also giving back to the community.”

Grace McLean, Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Education commented, “The Ministry of Education supports the Jamaica Independence T-Shirt Design Competition. This initiative seeks to strengthen and enhance the creative potentialities of our students. The competition targets secondary students and provides an opportunity for them to showcase their talents nationally. The Ministry applauds the efforts of Zedrin Limited in contributing to the Jamaican education system and for giving back to schools. We look forward to a positive outcome."

The competition will also reward the students individually, as Morgan explained “The participants will of course receive fantastic prizes as well. The 1st place design will win $35,000 plus a getaway for 4 to Great Huts in Port Antonio, 2nd place wins an all-inclusive getaway for two to Sunset on the Beach in Negril plus $25,000 cash, and the 3rd place prize is a gift basket plus $20,000.”

Ten entries will be selected by a panel of local judges made up of some of Jamaica’s notable creative minds including:  Miami based marketer Thomas Desulme, former Comedy Central writer come film director  Marcus Bird,  and Justin Hadeed Awn, known for his role on The Blackburns of Royal Palm Estate and modeling campaigns for Polo and Macy’s. The judging panel is rounded out by popular local designer and  photographer Michelle “Bagawiya” Hamilton, who recently had her work displayed in Times Square, New York City, and   Adam Barakat, account executive at National Outdoor Advertising (NOA), who brings with him six years of experience in the printing industry.

Two of the ten entries will be guaranteed to move into retail stores, while the remaining eight will be put to a public vote to select the third design which will be placed in retail stores. According to Morgan the initiative aims to raise $300,000 for the schools of the finalists.  “We have been extremely excited about submissions that have rolled in for the June 20 deadline. The students have put forward some amazing work and we look forward to seeing how this experience will benefit the schools that have participated.”

Entries can be viewed at http://www.jamaicadesigncompetition.com or the Zedrin Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/zedrinclothing.