James Island Elementary won Elementary School Division

 James Island Elementary School finished in first place in the Elementary School Division for the 2022 Holiday Festival of Lights Giant Greeting Card Competition. Harbor View Elementary School came in second in the same division, and Orange Grove Charter Middle School took second in the Middle School Division.

This year, 38 specially-designed cards from student groups in Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties are on display in Santa’s Village at James Island County Park.

James Island Elementary art teacher Suzanne Baranoski said a collaborative effort between their team of fourth and fifth graders and a teacher assistant led to their idea for the greeting card.

"We were brainstorming ideas for something fun and related to the theme 'There's no place like home for the holidays,'" said Baranoski. "One of our Kindergarten assistants (Lynn Shepard) had the idea of a campground theme and 'home is wherever you are' since so many of us have been to the campground at James Island County Park. Our students were so excited for their art expressions to be rewarded in this way. Thank you, James Island County Park, for another awesome year!"

Student groups compete in the elementary, middle, or high school division. The winners are selected by the Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission. The top three schools in each division receive a plaque and cash award for use in their school arts program.

All of the cards will be on display at the Holiday Festival of Lights through December 31, 2022.