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5 student designs chosen in the Jamaica Independence T-shirt Design Competition

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Five designs have been selected to move into retail stores in the Zedrin-sponsored Jamaica Independence T-shirt Design Competition. Designs by Tariq Smith from Wolmer's High School for Boys, Jahneve Jackson from Holy Childhood High School; Jahvon Barrett from Calabar High School; Anthony Cookes from Wolmer's High School for Boys, and Deneika Smith of Shortwood Practising Primary and Junior High, are available for sale with part proceeds going to their schools.

Marc Morgan, founder of the Zedrin Limited clothing company remarked, "Zedrin congratulates all five finalists on their achievements. For Jamaica's 50th anniversary of Independence, it is really great to see youth take so much pride in their country. We are proud of these remarkably talented young people." The shirts are currently available online at http://www.jamaicadesigncompetition.com/ or on the Zedrin Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zedrinclothing, and will appear in stores next week. Tariq Smith, Jahvon Barrett and Jahneve Jackson were fast-tracked by the judges to the final round of the competition, while Anthony Cookes and Deneika Smith's were elected by public vote.

While the designs will be placed in stores, they now go into the final round of judging where their ranking will determine their prizes. The first-place designer will win $35,000 plus a getaway for four to Great Huts in Port Antonio. The second-place winner will receive an all-inclusive getaway for two to Sunset on the Beach in Negril plus $25,000 cash, and the third-place prize is a gift basket plus $20,000. For fourth place, the entrant will receive $15,000 cash and the fifth-place winner will receive $10,000.

Zedrin has created the opportunity for the young artists to learn about fashion design. Finalists will have the chance to sit with a graphic designer and judge Marcus Bird, who will show them how their designs are made into T-shirts. The students will also have the chance to see their designs being printed on a tour of Lithographic Printers.

Designs were submitted from schools islandwide thanks to a Ministry of Education- issued bulletin to some 250 secondary institutions. Morgan commented, "The Ministry of Education, as well as the Jamaica 50 Secretariat who endorsed the competition, have been fantastic. We can see that our leaders support Jamaica's talented young people, and by buying the shirts we can all support our schools." 


(Left, from top) Winning designs by Tariq Smith (Wolmer's High School for Boys), Jahneve Jackson (Holy Childhood High School) Jahvon Barrett (Calabar High School), Deneika Smith (Shortwood Practising Primary and Junior High) and Anthony Cookes (Wolmer's High School for Boys).