Habitat for Humanity of Greater Memphis today announced the winners of its art and essay contest for Shelby County students in grades K-12. The contest served as a way for local students to learn more about Habitat and the work the organization does in Memphis and around the world. It also provided a way for young people to be involved in Habitat for Humanity’s 2016 Jimmy & Rosalynn Carter Work Project, which Memphis Habitat recently hosted. The winners are:

11th - 12th grade essay category

• First Place: DeAngelo Jordan, Booker T. Washington High School
• Second Place: Dacavien Reeves, Overton High School
• Third Place: Jayla Woods, Whitehaven High School

8th - 10th grade essay category

• First Place: Gabriel Geiser, White Station Middle School
• Second Place: Desiree Reed of Overton High School
• Third Place: Ambrianna Scott of Cordova High School

4th-7th grade art/story category

• First Place: Briania Wardlow, Willow Oaks Elementary
• Second Place: Destiny Matthews, Willow Oaks Elementary
• Third Place: Alan Esquivel, Willow Oaks Elementary

Kindergarten - 3rd grade art/story category

• First Place: Lyandra Dervaux-Fitzgerald of Snowden School
• Second Place: Jayden Travis of John P. Freeman School
• Third Place: Vitalina Tercero of Charjean Elementary School

"When we created the contest, we were looking for a way to get students in our community involved with Habitat’s Carter Work Project," said Kim Morrison, communications coordinator at Memphis Habitat and contest manager. "We were thoroughly impressed with the level of participation and the quality of work, making the process of choosing the winners incredibly difficult."

Students with winning entries won prizes ranging from $50 to $1,000 across the various age groups and the opportunity for their work to be exhibited by Memphis Habitat. Winners also were invited to attend the closing ceremony of the Carter Work Project in late August and a reception at the Memphis Habitat offices on September 15.

"All of the students who entered showed great talent and heart, and the winners exemplified a spirit that is alive in Memphis," said Dwayne Spencer, president and CEO of Memphis Habitat. "We can be hopeful knowing that the future of Memphis rests in the hands of these gifted students."

For more information, visit memphishabitat.com or follow Memphis Habitat on social media.