Secaucus High School Runner-Up In Vans Custom Culture Competition

SECAUCUS, NJ — Secaucus High School's art program is $15,000 richer thanks to Vans and its Custom Culture competition.

The contest, which encourages high school students to decorate Vans shoes to illustrate the themes of "Hometown Pride" and "Head in the Clouds," wrapped up Thursday with one grand prize winner and four runners up.

The grand prize winner, Fontainebleau High School of Mandeville, Louisiana, will receive $50,000 for its art program.

Runner-up schools, which include Secaucus High School and schools in Texas and California, will each receive $15,000.

The schools will also each receive a mentorship lesson from one of Vans' art ambassadors: Kelly Breez, Robin Eisenberg, Jay Howell, Todd Francis, Olivia Krause, Camilo Medina, Noah Humes, O.J. Hays, Tony Whlgn or Sydney James.

"Creativity took on a whole new meaning this year as students were forced inside. The problem-solving and innovation shown by teachers and students to come together to create these wonderful designs is truly inspiring," Carly Gomez, Vans VP of Marketing said in a statement. "Reviewing this year's submissions from bright young artists across the country were tougher than ever and a true testament to the importance and power of creativity even while we were all physically apart this past year."