Flagstaff High School From Arizona Takes Top Prize For Vans 2019 Custom Culture Art Competition

Vans Annual Custom Culture Art Competition Puts More Than $1 Million Back in Art Education

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May 15, 2019, 11:17 ET

Flagstaff High School students, Alyssa Williams (L) and Nicole Dougherty (R) with art teacher, Kayley Quick, take home the grand prize for the 2019 Vans Custom Culture competition

Vans Custom Culture Shoe Customization Contest Logo (PRNewsfoto/Vans)

COSTA MESA, Calif., May 15, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Vans, the original action sports brand and advocate for creative expression, named Flagstaff High School from Flagstaff, Ariz. as the grand prize winner of the 10^th annual Vans Custom Culture art competition. Flagstaff High School generated the most votes for their designs winning $75,000 to put towards its arts program on behalf of Vans and its program partners, Journeys, Yoobi, Laguna College of Art + Design (LCAD) and Americans for the Arts (AFTA). The four additional finalists – Atherton High School from Louisville, Ky., New Bedford High School from New Bedford, Mass., Seneca Valley Senior High School from Harmony, Pa. and Van Wert High School from Van Wert, Ohio – will each receive $10,000 to put towards their arts programs, along with a limited-edition Vans gift.

"The Vans Custom Culture competition has been a fantastic opportunity for our students and our community," said Principal Cullen of Flagstaff High School. "It is amazing how two of our students, Alyssa and Nicole, took it upon themselves to design and create a submission that has brought the community together to support their designs. We are grateful to Vans for the generous support of the arts at Flagstaff High School."

To celebrate each runner up of Vans Custom Culture, Steve Van Doren, son of Vans' founder and VP of Events and Promotions, shared a personalized message with each school congratulating them on their winnings. Steve and the Vans team then surprised the winners at Flagstaff High School with the $75,000 check and a school-wide BBQ to celebrate the win. Along with the surprise announcement, the students were also treated with a special guest performance by musician and singer-songwriter, K.Flay.

"We're thrilled to be in Flagstaff today to celebrate the students of Flagstaff High School and award them with a $75,000 check as the winners of the 10^th annual Vans Custom Culture art competition," said Kristy Van Doren, Vans Senior Director Brand Marketing for North America. "Our youth today are the future creators of tomorrow - we are proud to offer a platform that enables students nationwide to continue expressing themselves through art."

This year marks a huge milestone for not only Vans, but for arts education nationwide. Through 10 years of Custom Culture, Vans has donated more than $1,000,000 to fund arts programs across the country and has encouraged students to express themselves not only through arts education but through a non-traditional medium, Vans canvas.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on future art opportunities from Vans, visit the Custom Culture website at customculture.vans.com and www.vans.com.

About Vans
Vans^®, a VF Corporation (NYSE: VFC) brand, is the original action sports footwear, apparel and accessories brand. Vans^® authentic collections are sold in 84 countries through a network of subsidiaries, distributors and international offices. Vans^® has over 2,000 retail locations globally including owned, concession and partnership doors. The Vans^® brand promotes creative self-expression in youth culture across action sports, art, music and street culture and delivers progressive platforms such as the Vans Park Series, Vans Triple Crown of Surfing^®, Vans Pool Party, Vans Custom Culture, and Vans' cultural hub and international music venue, House of Vans.