During event Miami-Dade middle schoolers enjoyed behind-the-scenes tour of Zoo Miami with Ron Magill and special guests Miss Florida Taylor Tyson & former “World of Dance” star Diana Pombo
On Saturday February 2, Amerant Bank, N.A. the largest community bank headquartered in the Florida, celebrated the launch of the 2019 Zoolens Photography Project, with a special kick-off event at Zoo Miami. Zoolens is Amerant Bank’s signature student photography contest, open to all Miami-Dade County middle schoolers, where students have an opportunity to submit photos of their favorite Zoo Miami animal for a chance to win a range of prizes and up to $2,000.
More than 70 students were welcomed to Zoo Miami for the kick-off event, where they received an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the zoo led by noted wildlife photographer, Nikon® Ambassador and Zoo Miami’s Director of Communications Ron Magill. Ron also provided students with photography tips on how to best capture photos of the Zoo’s wildlife, using either a traditional camera or a smartphone, as students are able to submit this year photos using the device. Nikon® and Pitman Photo Supply representatives were onsite as well, providing access to loaner digital Nikon® photography equipment for up to 30 students, and offering gift cards, while supplies last. Special guests Miss Florida Taylor Tyson and former World of Dance contestant Diana Pombo, also made a surprise appearance, and met and posed for pictures with students during the event.
Founded in 2010, the Zoolens Photography Project was developed to bolster a love of wildlife and photography amongst Miami Dade County’s middle school students, in partnership with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Zoo Miami and the Zoological Society of Florida.
The 2019 ZoolensSM Photography Project contest runs from February 1 - March 1, 2019. All Zoolens submissions must be received before 5 p.m.on Friday, March 1, and can be made through a student’s school or by emailing zoolens@krepspr.com. All submissions must be in high-res 300 dpi jpeg and be an original photograph of a Zoo Miami animal. Three grand prize winners and 10 honorable mentions will be selected by a panel of distinguished judges, which will be announced at an awards ceremony in April.
Groups that couldn’t attend the kick-off can schedule a private field trip during the contest run period. Individual students can also visit Zoo Miami on their own accompanied by an adult. Student coupons are available for download on www.Zoolens.com, for free student admission with each full paid adult.
About Mercantil Bank Holding Corporation and Amerant Bank
Mercantil Bank Holding Corporation (NASDAQ: AMTB and AMTBB) is a bank holding company headquartered in Coral Gables, Florida. The Company operates through its subsidiaries, Amerant Bank, N.A., Amerant Investments, Inc. and Amerant Trust, N.A. The Company provides individuals and businesses in the U.S., as well as select international clients, with deposit, credit and wealth management services. The Bank, which has operated for almost 40 years, is the largest community bank headquartered in Florida. Amerant Bank operates 23 banking centers – 15 in South Florida and 8 in the Houston, Texas area, as well as a commercial real estate loan production office in New York City. For more information, please visit www.mercantilbank.com
