Two Keys moms and one grandmother received a Mother’s Day surprise — in the form of custom-made jewelry designed by their young loved ones — during a special presentation at Treasure Village Montessori on May 5.
Blue Marlin Jewelry’s 10th annual Saige Raiche Memorial Junior Designer Mother’s Day Contest saw TVM students winning in all three categories — and that’s something to be said for a contest spanning across all Keys schools.
Second-grader Will Miller’s necklace design with two angels won the K-3 category. He presented the piece of jewelry to his mom, Brittany Miller. A seventh-grade student, Nia Melendez-Lopez’s heart locket necklace won the grades 4-7 category. The special jewelry designed by Melendez-Lopez was presented to her grandmother Jackie Lopez. Eighth-grader Nick Giordano presented a custom-designed ring to her mom, Kristen Giordano.
The team at Blue Marlin, with locations at 81549 Old Highway in Islamorada and 718 Caroline Street in Key West, reviewed the first round and chose the finalists. From there, the submissions were sent to a fresh team of judges, non-Blue Marlin employees, to pick winners. Winners weren’t only judged on their designs. The stories associated with the custom-made designs also played a big role.
TVM art teacher Diana McGuirk-Hille said she was proud of the students who submitted the jaw-dropping designs.
“The effort you put towards it … they (the judges) had such a difficult time just picking those three winners,” she said.
“This is quite an accomplishment for what you guys have achieved here,” said Armando Gonzalez, owner of Blue Marlin Jewelry. “And I love that you’re doing it.”
Photos by JIM McCARTHY/Keys Weekly
