Choffin student has designs on Heinz prize

Staff report

Youngstown

Heinz called on student artists to compete in the annual national Ketchup Creativity Contest, and Choffin answered.

A panel of judges selected Nilyshia Johnson, Choffin Career and Technical Center Media Arts senior, as one of 12 national winners.

Nilyshia will receive a $1,000 cash prize, and CCTC will receive $1,000 and a voucher for $1,000 worth of Heinz Ketchup.

Her winning artwork will appear on more than 20 million Heinz Ketchup packets in food-service venues across the U.S. during the 2012-13 school year.

“Since 2006, the Heinz Ketchup Creativity Contest has generated more than 130,000 entries from thousands of schools nationwide,” said Andy Ludlow, associate brand manager for Heinz Ketchup.

“We’re excited to offer the contest again this year and showcase the talent of 12 more student artists, using iconic Heinz Ketchup packets as the canvas,” he said.

Nilyshia’s artwork displays a man’s dress shirt, unbuttoned to show a Heinz Ketchup label beneath.

Nilyshia, who is graduating at 16 because she took extra classes and credits throughout her school career, also was a recipient this year of an Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. Memorial Scholarship.