RIVIERA BEACH, FL — Being innovative paid off for Inlet Grove Community High School, which was named a national winner in the SkillsUSA Lowe’s Social Media Challenge. As a winner, the school will receive an $8,000 cash award to complete an on-campus art and garden learning hub.

“Instead of doing an informational video like the other schools, we decided to tell our story through rap music. It was fun to make and fun to watch,” said Web Design student Rakim Williams who composed and performed the song. Williams was assisted by social media manager and fellow Web Design student Derico Jones, TV Production’s Terence Graham and Dieumitha Ferdelus, and Pre-Engineering’s Grayson Griner and Jorge Murrilla, among others.

Founded in 1965, SkillsUSA (formerly Vocational Industrial Clubs of America), is a national organization with nearly 300 thousand participants across the country. It serves high school and college students preparing for technical, medical and service careers.

In late 2015, Inlet Grove students completed a three-minute rap video on the project. They promoted it on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and other social media outlets from Feb. 13 – 17 during SkillsUSA Week.

“I’m extremely proud of my students. They worked hard to distinguish themselves in the competition, and they did,” said Dr. Emma Banks, Inlet Grove’s Principal. “We are an A-rated high school with a 92 percent graduation rate. Nearly 98 percent of our graduates complete college or enter the military. Many of our kids are career-ready when they leave our school. In order to survive in the current economy, our young people need to be competitive. All of us at Inlet Grove are here to provide our students with a solid education to help them excel in the future,” Banks said.

“It was a fantastic team effort,” said teacher and special project coordinator Diane Jacques. “We also received significant help from the Palm Beach Gardens Lowe’s store. We’re very appreciative to them for their ongoing support of our school and public education in Palm Beach County.”

Watch the students’ winning video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QqA5Q-U0Pig.