LONG LIVE THE CONCH REPUBLIC

KEY WEST PARADE CELEBRATES ISLAND’S ‘INDEPENDENCE’

Keys Energy Services (KEYS) recently sponsored an energy conservation art contest for all elementary school students in the Lower Florida Keys.

One overall winner and two winners from each grade level were selected from over 2,000 entries to grace the pages of KEYS’ 27th annual energy conservation calendar. The winners attended the April 26 utility board meeting and were recognized for their artistic efforts.

The overall winner was Charlotte Gehin, a fourth grade student from Sigsbee Charter School. Her artwork will be featured on the cover of KEYS’ 2023-2024 calendar.

The winning artists whose work will illustrate each of the 12 months are: Kamryn Moore and Pallavi Khanal (kindergarten); Dulce Lopez Hernandez and Elise Roberts (first grade); Bellatriz Berger and Weslyne David (second grade); Charlotte Jackson and Chloe Johnson (third grade); Mia Gibson & Sarah Sheldon (fourth grade); Christelle Agenord and Iga Lenart (fifth grade).

KEYS’ energy conservation calendars will be made available to customers in August. The regular meeting of the utility board took place April 26, at the Keys Energy Services’ headquarters, 1001 James St., Key West.

— Contributed

The Conch Republic’s true colors were on full display for the 41st annual Conch Republic Parade. The island’s 10-day independence celebration recalls the Southernmost City’s secession from the Union in the 1980s, in protest of federal agents stopping and searching cars for drugs at the top of U.S. 1.

The April 27 parade featured prominent public figures, pirates, writers, pets and performers, all strutting down Duval Street carrying the Conch Republic flag and reminding spectators, “We seceded where others failed.”

— Contributed