Eisenhower High School Student Wins 2nd Place in From the Bow Seat Art Contest

Juwan Mayes tied for second place in [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]From the Bow Seat‘s 2014 Ocean Awareness Student Contest. The organization selected Mayes’ entry from hundreds of applicants from around the world. Juwan is a senior at Eisenhower High School.

The competition recognizes students for combining art, science and ocean advocacy. Mayes won a $1000 cash prize for his art entry.

From the Bow Seat is a national environmental education nonprofit. The organization challenged students to consider the growing international problem of ocean plastic pollution. The students could use art, advocacy, and essay projects. From the Bow Seat gave out more than $27,500 in prize money to students, teachers, and schools this year.

For the past three years, From the Bow Seat’s annual contest has asked students to consider major ocean issues. In 2014, students examined the causes and consequences of plastic pollution in our oceans. Student projects included essays and stories exploring the cause of plastic pollution. They also created sculptures and garments crafted completely out of discarded beach plastics.

Juwan’s project focused on the inevitable integration of synthetic material in the ocean environment. Man’s love affair with plastic is killing millions of sea creatures. While man is falling behind in cleaning the ocean waters, it appears that there might be creatures that can help. [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Tiny plastic dwellers may be cleaning the seas. But scientists know little about these plastic dwellers.

According to Dr. Michaelann Kelley, Juwan learned about the importance of protecting the oceans. He also learned how plastic pollution in our oceans not only affects creatures but also humans. Kelley is the program director for fine arts in AISD as well as Mayes’ teacher.

Juwan Mayes’ winning artwork.

“I am thrilled that Dr. Kelley encouraged me to enter my artwork in this contest,” said Mayes.  “I learned a lot about plastic pollution in our oceans. It is important to recycle and to come up with better ways to get rid of plastics. Recycling is important. Even in art there is a new trend to recycle, reuse, and repurpose.”

Through the contest, From the Bow Seat hopes to encourage STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) education. From the Bow Seat emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach to learning and engaging students.

“Our goal is to engage students in issues facing the oceans,” said founder Linda Cabot. “We are working with students, teachers, and other organizations to bring these issues to light through the integration of art and science.”

Middle and high school students from around the world are invited to compete in the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]2015 Ocean Awareness Student Contest. The deadline is June 15, 2015.