Monterey High Hoping To Win Shoe Design Competition

The Monterey High School visual arts program has a chance to win $75,000.

Vans has named the school a top 50 finalist in its national shoe design competition.

Visual arts teacher James Watts said the public can help Monterey bring home the prize.

“We close voting on May 3 so we need everybody to go to CustomCulture.vans.com and vote for Monterey High School,” Watts said. “It is also on the Putnam County Facebook page so, please share with everybody that you know and get everybody to vote for Monterey High School.”

Monterey High School is a top 50 finalist in a national shoe design competition. The public can help the school’s visual arts program win $75,000 by voting for the design online.

Vans will award $10,000 to four of the top five schools with the winner receiving $75,000.

Watts said winning either prize would be a huge benefit to the school’s art program.

“Visual arts is always one of those things that requires a lot of materials,” Watts said. “This would help with materials, but beyond that, just being able to let the students have more access to technology and more tools in here for kids to use.”

Funding would also provide outreach to Burkes Elementary School, which currently lacks a visual arts teacher.

Vans will announce the top 5 finalists in early May.