With an overwhelming outpouring of artistic talent, the Jamaica 50 endorsed Jamaica Independence Secondary Schools T-Shirt Design Competition has increased the number of finalists eligible for prizes from 3 to 5.

Now in its final days of public voting Jamaicans at home and abroad now have a chance to weigh in on the winning designs. The event organized by clothing company Zedrin Limited, will place the top five original T-shirt designs in retail stores, where part proceeds from their sale will be donated to their schools, while 5 finalists will receive a share of over $300,000 in cash and prizes. The contest which is also supported by the Ministry of Education, called on students from over 250 secondary schools to illustrate what the 50th Anniversary of Jamaica means to them.
 
For its first round, an esteemed judging panel has already fast tracked three designs to be placed in stores, and the Jamaican public can now log on to the Zedrin Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zedrinclothing to select which design they think should get the remaining spot, until the end of the voting period on Sunday June 8. The panel consists of marketer Thomas Desulme, former Comedy Central writer come film director  Marcus Bird,  Adam Barakat, account executive at National Outdoor Advertising (NOA), who brings with him six years of experience in the printing industry, popular local designer and  photographer Michele “Bagawiya” Hamilton, who recently had her work displayed in Times Square, New York City, and   Justin Hadeed Awn, known for his role on The Blackburns of Royal Palm Estate and modeling campaigns for Polo and Macy’s.
 
Awn commented, “This is  an amazing way for these young people to show a positive expression of Jamaica in our 50th year of Independence, added to the fact that their schools and communities will also benefit from the exercise.”

In addition the money that goes back to their schools, participants will also receive fantastic prizes. The 1st place design will win $35,000 plus a getaway for 4 to Great Huts in Port Antonio, 2nd place wins an all-inclusive getaway for two to Sunset on the Beach in Negril plus $25,000 cash, and the 3rd place prize is a gift basket plus $20,000. The 4th place entrant will receive $15,000 cash and the 5th place winner receives $10,000.
 
Judge Marcus Bird noted “Having lived and worked in the United States and Japan, and travelling through Africa, and Europe, the high concentration of talent we have here in Jamaica always impresses me. It is so important for the public to support projects like this that encourage young people to take pride in our nation.”
 
Vote for your favourite entry at http://www.jamaicadesigncompetition.com/ or on the Zedrin Facebook page at www.facebook.com/zedrinclothing.