In 1996 Sea World opened Key West at Sea World here in Orlando, featuring sea turtles, a dolphin petting area, a ray petting area, Key West style entertainment and more. They advertised a contest open to middle schoolers to create a billboard to promote the new addition. Seminole County student Ashley Peters’ art work was chosen for the billboard. This article and photograph were published in the Orlando Sentinel, Seminole County edition, on June 14, 1996, p. D 10.
Ashley and her family were given a trip to Key West and she also received a full size billboard (which she still stores under her bed).
Girl’s art wins billboard spot by Tammie Wersinger of the Sentinel Staff.
LAKE MARY – Ashley Peters is only 11 years old, but she’s about to become one of Central Florida’s most visible artists. Artwork by the Greenwood Lakes Middle School seventh grader was selected for display on 55 billboards advertising the new Key West attraction at Sea World of Florida.
Two earlier trips to the Florida Keys made Ashley a perfect candidate to enter the contest, although she never thought she would win.
“My brother has always been the artist in the family,” Ashley said. “But my mom thought I could do it.”
Ashley drew on her experiences in the Keys to create a colorful picture, which features dolphins, stingrays, coral and the water of the islands.
“Her picture encompassed all the things that Key West has,” said Jeff Cargill of Sea World. It was obviously done very nicely, and the judges thought it would adapt well to a billboard.”
About 150 Central Florida third through sixth-graders submitted drawings for a chance at fame and prizes.
As the first-place winner, Ashley won a family trip to Key West, a class trip to Sea World, tickets to the opening of Key West at Sea World and a chance to see her artwork along some of Central Florida’s busiest highways.
“Driving by a billboard with my picture on it is weird,” said Ashley, a straight A student, gymnast and pianist. “It’s just so neat to see it.”
Ashley’s billboard, created by POA Outdoor Advertising, will be used for about a month to advertise Key West of Sea World.
The five-acre attraction immerses guests in the festive island life, with native animals, exotic foods and wares, street-style entertainment and nightly sunset celebrations.
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Ashley Peters in front of her billboard
Ashley Peters and her mom, Kim Peters, and Ashley's billboard in the background.
Ashley Peters in front of her billboard
Photograph of Ashley Peters, winner of the Key West at Sea World billboard contest, standing in front of a billboard size copy...
Ashley Peters in front of her billboard
Ashley Peters in front of her winning artwork shown on the billboard in the background.
Newspaper article on Ashley Peters, 11 year old Seminole County resident who won the Key West at Sea World billboard contest in June 1996.
