The Department of Public Health (Directie Volksgezondheid – DVG) is extremely delighted and proud to announce the 12 winners of the “Responsible Owner” School Art Competition. This competition resulted in a fantastic participation of 725 paintings, created by students from 17 different primary schools in Aruba!
The competition, announced on August 31 by the Minister of Health alongside the Minister of Education and officially launched by DVG on September 1, aimed to raise awareness among children from an early age regarding the importance of care and responsibility toward our pets.
With great creativity, color, and imagination, the children illustrated how a responsible owner should care for their dog and/or cat, providing them with food, water, shelter, veterinary care, and, most importantly, love throughout their entire lives.
DVG congratulates the 12 competition winners:
- Alessa Semeleer, Princes Amalia Basisschool, 4th grade
- Anne-Mary Pereira, Maria Goretti College, 5th grade
- Jaiden Mathias Ayala Sigcha, Colegio Hilario Angela, 2nd grade
- Jayda Heidweiller, Mon Plaisir School San Nicolas, 1st grade
- Jeremiah Jacobs, Colegio San Hose, 2nd grade
- Jobriel Lacle, Maria Goretti College, 6th grade
- Juan Vicente Rodriguez Quintero, St. Franciscus College, 1st grade
- Liana Geerman, Colegio San Hose, 6th grade
- Mayaleah Rodriguez, Colegio Bon Bini, 3rd grade
- Nathalia Becerra Pabon, Colegio Frere Bonifacius, 3rd grade
- Scarlys Diaz Sanchez, Princes Amalia Basisschool, 4th grade
- Sofia Buunen, Princes Amalia Basisschool, 5th grade
DVG would like to express special thanks to the three schools with the highest participation:
- Colegio San Hose, 103 paintings
- Colegio Hilario Angela, 79 paintings
- Mon Plaisir School San Nicolas, 75 paintings
A heartfelt thank you to all 17 schools, principals, teachers, parents, and especially our children for their enthusiasm, dedication, and creativity. Your participation made this competition a resounding success!
A special award presentation and a big surprise!
On Friday, October 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM, the 12 winners will receive their gifts during a special ceremony at the Bestuurskantoor (Government Office Building).
During this ceremony, DVG will also announce the overall winner, whose painting will be transformed into a mural on the future Rescue and Control Center. In this way, the artwork will stand as a lasting symbol of love, care, and responsibility for our animals.
For DVG, the true success of this competition extends far beyond the 12 prizes. It is the opportunity to instill in our children the understanding that a pet is not an object, but a living being that deserves care, protection, and love for its entire life.
We hope these 725 paintings represent 725 opportunities to inspire families and the community to prevent animal abandonment and abuse in Aruba.
Be a responsible pet owner too. Every act of responsibility saves lives.