Caribbean and Latin American Students' Environmental Awareness Awarded by FCCA Foundation
 
Pembroke Pines, FL (June 21, 2016) - The FCCA Foundation has again rewarded the efforts of students and schools throughout the Caribbean and Latin America, with nearly $25,000 awarded to children and schools from 12 destinationsparticipating in the annual FCCA Foundation's Environmental Poster Competition.
 
"I cannot be prouder to benefit the efforts of the talented and dedicated students who participated in this year's FCCA Foundation Environmental Poster Competition," said Michele Paige, president, FCCA. "Protecting the environment is a joint effort for us all, and this is an opportunity to spur future generations to focus on the world's and their futures, while also benefitting their futures through donations to them and their schools."
 
Each year, the competition prompts students to create a poster depicting ways to protect the environment and promote awareness in their country. This year's contest featured finalists from 12 Caribbean and Latin American destinations ranging from juniors (ages 12 and younger) to seniors (13-16).
 
Though all participating students learned a valuable lesson, the finalists and first- to third-place winners took home a prize to and for their country. First-place winners earned a $3,000 scholarship for themselves, along with an equal donation for their schools to purchase art supplies; second-place winners and schools received $1,500 each; third-place winners and schools were awarded $1,000 each; and all finalists and schools received $200 each.
 
Dantia Welcome of Corinaldi Avenue Primary School in Jamaica took the junior division gold for "Reduce, Recycle, Renew the Caribbean," which showcased how to make the Caribbean and world a better place by planting trees, practicing sustainable development, protecting the natural habitat and renewing energy.
 
Cherise Blanche of St. Andrew's Anglican Secondary in Grenada won the senior division for creatively showing ways to protect the environment by turning discarded items like tires and cardboard into planters and storage containers in "Eliminate the Trash, Embrace the Treasure."
 
Other winners included Tyra Abell from the Cayman Islands, taking second in the junior division; Otisha Nichols from St. Vincent, winning second in the senior division; Daniel Peraza from Belize, collecting third in the junior division; and Ping Ling Len from St. Maarten, placing third in the senior division.
 
About the FCCA Foundation
The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes in Caribbean and Latin American destinations. Since its establishment in 1993, the Foundation has benefited thousands of citizens by providing funding and countless hours to causes and charities throughout the regions. In addition to assisting deserving institutions like charities and hospitals and aiding during crises like natural disasters, the Foundation executes annual projects, including the Holiday Gift Project, which delivers thousands of presents and smiles to underprivileged children during the holiday season, and poster and essay competitions to award students and schools.