A competition to create a mascot design for the e-Learning Tablets in Schools (TIS) Pilot Project concluded in May this year with 57 entries received from students in 30 educational institutions.

Akeem Bignott of the Caribbean Maritime Institute produced the winning design, with second and third places going to Shena McLean of Northern Caribbean University and Mekeda Duffus of Immaculate Conception High School respectively.

The three winning mascots will be used in the creation of an animation which will be used in the promotion of the TIS Pilot Project, which involves the distribution of 25,000 tablet devices to teachers and students this September.

Animation consultant and web developer Greg Harrison was impressed by the quality of the entries received for the competition.

“The quality of the work was good; it wasn’t a case that these youngsters are classically trained, so it is just raw talent”, Mr Harrison said in delivering the judges’ report at the Tablet Mascot Awards Ceremony held at the PCJ Auditorium in Kingston in May this year.

Mr Harrison challenged the students to continue to hone their design skills in order to make a mark in the animation industry, which he said is “worth a couple billion US dollars”.

The 57 designs were received from students in 24 high schools, two primary schools and four universities and colleges.

The Most Unique Design was created by Shevon Williams of Mannings School in Westmoreland, while the Most Artistic (hand-drawn) Design came from Robin Charlton of Fair Prospect High in Portland. Fair Prospect High also had the most entries with eight.

e-Learning Jamaica CEO Mrs. Avrill Crawford thanked the organising committee for their work staging the awards ceremony, and commended the students and their teachers for the many hours of work that went into the designs.

“This is a truly fitting kick-off for the Tablets in Schools Pilot Project”, Mrs. Crawford said.