Hillsborough board honors student artists and presents $37,584 to classroom art programs

Tax Collector Nancy C. Millan presented a $37,584 donation to Hillsborough County Public Schools on May 12 to support art teachers who participated in the 2025-2026 Kids Tag Art program. Millan said 66 schools participated and 2,748 student artworks were submitted this year, and she reported a five-year cumulative total raised of $1,890,000. "Our goal is to continue to move the needle and increase funds to really support our art teachers," Millan said.

The contribution, she said, will deliver about $570 to each participating teacher. The board applauded as Millan and student winners were recognized.

The meeting also highlighted related student art contests and youth programs: Lance Becatti of Becatti Wealth Advisors described a 17-year holiday art contest that awards gift cards and prizes to student winners; the Drop Savers poster contest, presented by Anthony Helcion of county and city water conservation, honored students who promoted water conservation amid a severe drought; and Katherine Wright, K–12 STEM coordinator, announced two student-designed mission patches selected to fly to the International Space Station as part of the Mission 21 Student Spaceflight Experiments Program.

District science supervisors reported that the 46th Hillsborough Regional STEM Fair showcased more than 1,300 projects, with dozens of categorical and special award winners and several students qualifying for the state fair in Lakeland and the International Science and Engineering Fair in Phoenix. Board members and the superintendent thanked students, teachers and community partners for their roles in the programs.

The recognitions were ceremonial and did not include any formal board votes or policy actions. The board adjourned after the final presentations.