Emily Fry just wanted to earn some extra credit in her art class at Plant City High School. Teacher Niki Carpenter told her she could earn the bonus points by entering a county-wide contest hosted by Caspers Company McDonald’s Restaurants. All she had to do was create a piece to promote voting.
In a 50-minute class, Fry created a political-inspired poster and entered. But, she got more than just a couple of bonus points. Her piece was selected as the first place winner of the Vote Hillsborough Poster Contest. It will be included in one million food bags at all Caspers Company McDonald’s.
“It’s pretty cool, I’ve got to say,” Fry said. “Anyone can go and get one. They can say, ‘Hey, I know Emily. She did this.’”
Caspers Company McDonald’s has owned and operated more than 53 restaurants in the Tampa Bay area for more than 54 years. The empire includes one on West Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, in Seffner.
The high school junior got the inspiration for her poster by looking at different posters online. She used a Sharpie pen to outline the words, “Have a Voice.” She also outlined stars and a giant hand throwing up a peace sign in Sharpie. The hand serves as the “V” to the word “Vote.” She used colored pencils to fill in the remaining areas by shading.
“It was pretty easy,” Fry said. “I was disappointed I didn’t try harder. I didn’t think I’d win.”
Fry has studied under Carpenter since she was a freshman. She will be finishing up Art 2D III this semester. Sixth grade is where is all began, though.
“I found out it I was pretty talented at drawing,” Fry said. “I’ve loved every art teacher I’ve had.”
Since middle school, she’s excelled in her work. In eighth grade, one of her pieces was shown at the Dali Museum.
“I would love to be over there,” Fry said. “(Art’s) been a major part of my life.”
Contact Amber Jurgensen at ajurgensen@plantcityobserver.com.