Miami-Area Student’s Artwork To Be Showcased @ NASCAR Race.

Fourth-grade elementary school student Carlos D. Fernandez of Miami has been named the winner of the 2003 Hispanic Heritage Art Contest, sponsored by The Miami Herald’s Newspaper in Education and Ford Motor Company Fund, the philanthropic arm of Ford Motor Company.

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, students in the 4th through 8th grades were invited to submit artwork and a supporting essay on the theme of “Transportation in the Next 100 Years.” The artwork was to be presented in the form of a design for a NASCAR race truck.

A new feature in the 2003 Hispanic Heritage Art Contest, Fernandez’ winning entry will be adapted as the paint scheme for driver Rick Crawford’s #14 Ford F-150 truck that will compete on Friday, November 14 in the Ford 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck race at Homestead Miami Speedway.

Fernandez’ submission, one of 482 total entries, was a NASCAR race truck named “Flamer.” His truck was purple with tongues of flame on both the hood and along the bottom of the door panels and rear fenders.

His supporting essay explained that “Transportation in the Next 100 Years” would involve “getting energy mostly from the sun and wind. Because of our concern for the environment today, my vision for transportation … is of a truck that is much safer and cleaner than today.”

“Hispanic Heritage Month and the art contest certainly brought the best out of our young students,” said Raquel Egusquiza, director of community development for Ford Motor Company Fund. “Great thinking. Great art. And great pride in their Hispanic heritage.”

In addition to seeing his drawing on an actual NASCAR Ford F-150, Fernandez will receive a $2,500 United States Savings Bond, a Ford Hispanic Heritage Award, and tickets to the Ford 200 at Homestead Miami Speedway to watch Crawford and the truck compete in the final NASCAR Craftsman Truck event of the year.

Public unveiling of the #14 Ford F-150 with Fernandez’ artwork will occur on Tuesday, November 11, at Homestead Miami Speedway at 10:30 a.m. as part of Ford’s “Champions of the Community” activities.

“We’re very proud of Carlos and all of the students who participated in this contest,” said Vannetta Bailey-Id drisu, Educational Services Manager for The Miami Herald. “This year’s theme required the students to use their imaginations and do some creative thinking about bigger issues besides trucks, like the environment and energy. And based on the entries we received, I feel the Miami area has a very bright future with these young people leading the way.”