Neal Communities hosts 19th annual art contest at Taylor Ranch Elementary School

During this year’s annual My Favorite Home art contest by Neal Communities, the top 10 student finalists in each grade level at Taylor Ranch Elementary School in Venice were recognized for their artistic abilities at the event on Friday, Nov. 14, which was attended by school officials and guest judges from around the community.

This year marks the 19th year that Neal Communities has held the My Favorite Home art contest, featuring a different community school each year in Manatee or Sarasota Counties.

“We had a great time working with a variety of art mediums in each grade level, and I know the students truly enjoyed the process,” said Robyn Ferraro, art teacher at Taylor Ranch Elementary School. “I am so proud of the creativity displayed by our students, and we thank Neal Communities for their generosity in supporting our art program.” 

Neal Communities donated $1,500 to the school’s art program at the event. 

“We are extremely thankful to Neal Communities for this contribution, which we will use toward the purchase of technology for the art department,” said Dr. William Bolander, principal at Taylor Ranch Elementary School.  

All students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade participated in the contest. The kindergarten students utilized markers and crayons while the first-grade students worked with construction paper to emphasize the landscaping and environment. Second graders applied shapes using stamping and print making, third graders used water color paints and fourth graders painted with metallic oil pastels. The fifth-grade students were able to use any medium of their choice. 

“I can speak for our entire team when I say that this is one of our favorite annual events,” said Pat Neal, CEO and chairman of the board at Neal Communities. “We are always inspired by the student artwork and commend the hard-working teachers and staff members who work tirelessly to educate our local students. Our teachers do a wonderful job, and it’s because of them that so many people seek out Sarasota County as a place to call home.” 

The students’ submissions were narrowed down to the top 60 entries – ten from each grade level. Six grade-level winners were chosen by a celebrity judging panel, including Sarasota County Commissioner Charles Hines, Sarasota County School Board members Eric Robinson and Jane Goodwin and Kathy Leon from SNN6. They were joined by Neal Communities’ team members from the company’s marketing, sales, purchasing and accounting departments. The homebuilder’s team will select two overall winners, whose artwork will adorn the cover of the 2018 holiday cards for Neal Communities and Neal Signature Homes.

Below are the grade-level winners listed in order:

  • Kindergarten – Meredith Liebeher
  • First grade – Lucy Vega
  • Second grade – Hampton William
  • Third grade – Mia Gadow
  • Fourth grade – Nevaeh Naberaall
  • Fifth grade – Dariana Colo’n

About Neal Communities

With over 40 years of building award-winning homes, Neal Communities has over 90 successful communities throughout southwest Florida. The Lakewood Ranch-based builder was named the Professional Builder 2015 “Builder of the Year” and was named one of 2012’s “America’s Best Builders” by BUILDER Magazine and voted the “2013 Best Residential Builder in Southwest Florida” in a readers’ poll sponsored by Gulfshore Business Magazine. The company is ranked No. 1 locally by Metrostudy and by Hanley Wood Market Intelligence based on number of home sales and ranked nationally among the top 50 builders by BUILDER Magazine.

To date, Neal has built over 13,000 homes in southwest Florida. As the area’s largest and most established, locally owned and operated private builder, Neal Communities is continually striving for excellence in every aspect of the home building and development business. Neal Signature Homes, Neal Land Ventures, Charlene Neal PureStyle, Waterscapes Pools & Spas, Neal Communities Funding, Fiducia Insurance and Allegiant Title Professionals all contribute to the firm’s continued, record-setting local success. The company’s honors and accolades include numerous Parade of Homes awards, 50 Aurora Awards, 5 Best in American Living Awards and hundreds of local and regional industry awards. For more information, please visit www.NealCommunities.com.

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