(AUSTIN, Texas) — Download photos of Commissioner Bush choosing winner

Bryan Wang, a second grader from Roosevelt Alexander Elementary in Katy, Texas, is the grand prize winner of the 2015 Texas General Land Office Adopt-A-Beach Treasures of the Texas Coast Children’s Art Contest. Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush selected Bryan Wang's art from more than 4,550 entries submitted statewide. The annual competition encourages schoolchildren to learn more about the Texas coast and express what they’ve learned through their art. Open to grades K-6 across Texas, the contest motivates thousands of young artists each year. 

"As a former teacher, I am proud to have the opportunity to honor the winners of the Adopt-A-Beach Treasures of the Texas Coast Contest," Bush said. "This is a great way for young Texans to learn about the natural beauty of our precious coast and to demonstrate their creativity. We had a record number of young artists participate this year and it was tough to pick a grand prize winner, but Bryan Wang's submission stood out because it illustrates both the biodiversity of our coastal environment and the community coming together to keep our beaches clean for all to enjoy.”

Bryan Wang’s artwork, along with 39 runners-up, will appear on the cover of the 2016 Adopt-A-Beach calendar. The artwork of all winners will be on public display in the South Central Gallery of the Texas Capitol May 19th – 26th for all visitors to view and appreciate. The exhibit will be sponsored by Representative Greg Bonnen (HD 24, Friendswood).

Bryan Wang’s winning artwork earns him two round-trip, coach-class tickets from United Airlines to any United destination anywhere in North America, one 7-night Caribbean cruise from Royal Caribbean International departing out of Galveston, Miami, Tampa, Ft. Lauderdale, Port Canaveral or Puerto Rico, and a class party at Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels. The grand prize winner's teacher, Enya Huang, also receives two round-trip, coach-class tickets from United Airlines and one 7-night Caribbean cruise courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Ten winners were chosen from each of four grade-level categories (K – 2nd, 3rd – 4th, 5th and 6th) for a total of 40 winners. All 40 winners receive a ticket to the Texas State Aquarium in Corpus Christi, two all-day passes to Schlitterbahn Waterpark in New Braunfels, a ticket to the Planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a ticket to the Houston Zoo, a certificate of recognition and prizes from the Texas General Land Office and a calendar displaying the winning artwork. This year’s contest sponsors are Royal Caribbean International, United Airlines, Schlitterbahn Waterparks, the Texas State Aquarium, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Zoo.

To learn more about the Adopt-A-Beach program, visit www.TexasAdoptABeach.org or contact the GLO at 1-877-TX COAST. Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/texasadoptabeach and follow us on Twitter at @TXadoptabeach.

2015 Treasures of the Texas Coast Art Contest Winners                                                               

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