Sofia Buunen wins Aruba's “Responsible Pet Owner” art competition

ORANJESTAD — Sofia Buunen, a fifth-grade student at Princes Amalia Basisschool, has been named overall winner of the “Responsible Pet Owner” school art competition organized by Aruba's Department of Public Health (DVG) and the Ministry of Public Health. Her artwork will become a mural at Aruba's future Rescue and Control Center.

The competition attracted 725 paintings from 17 primary schools. Twelve students received awards during a ceremony at the Government Administration Building on October 23.

The 12 winners are:

Grade 1: Jayda Heidweiller (Mon Plaisir School San Nicolas) and Juan Vicente Rodriguez Quintero (Sint Franciscus College).

Grade 2: Jaiden Mathias Ayala Sigcha (Colegio Hilario Angela) and Jeremiah Jacobs (Colegio San Hose).

Grade 3: Mayaleah Rodriguez (Colegio Bon Bini) and Nathalia Becerra Pabon (Colegio Frere Bonifacius).

Grade 4: Alessa Semeleer and Scarlys Diaz Sanchez (Princes Amalia Basisschool).

Grade 5: Anne-Mary Pereira (Maria Goretti College) and Sofia Buunen (Princes Amalia Basisschool).

Grade 6: Jobriel Lacle (Maria Goretti College) and Liane Geerman (Colegio San Hose).

DVG also recognized Colegio San Hose, Colegio Hilario Angela and Mon Plaisir School San Nicolas for their particularly strong participation.

The competition promoted responsible pet ownership, animal welfare and the prevention of abandonment and abuse.