The design for the new “River Life” license plate tag was announced at an assembly at Shelbyville Central High School Monday.  

The tag will go to funding first responders, public safety partners, and search and rescue crews on the Duck River. This project was coordinated through the Shelbyville-Bedford Community Foundation.  

It was designed to increase public safety and education on the Duck River, according to Shelbyville Bedford Partnership CEO Shane Hooper. The tag will be an extra $35, which will go to buying equipment and markings for the river.  

The plate must receive 1,000 pre-orders by June 2023 in order for the state to begin production.  

“This new tag will be used to support all of the first responders and Bedford County public safety officers that respond to accidents on the Duck River,” said Hooper. Bedford has 56 miles of the Duck River, according to David Kitchens.  

Top three  

Some 580 students submitted artwork, according to Hooper. First Community Bank contributed the funds to art teachers Megan Straub and Angie Jackson in the amount of $500.  

Awards were also granted to the top three winners. In first place was junior student Allejandro Contreras Cabrera in the amount of $500.  

Cabrera said his design was inspired by the biodiverse life of the Duck River, which holds dozens of fish species. He also said he wanted to capture the recreational aspect of the river and added the canoe.  

Cabrera said he is “still stunned” about receiving first place. “I didn’t think I would even get top three.” He said he enjoys art and has considered going into either an art-related or financial field of work after high school.  

Second place went to sophomore Kaylee Smith who received $300. She said she wanted her design to be “fun” and “cute.” She said after high school, she would like to go into studio animation.  

Third place went to junior Madelyn Simpson who received $100 for her design. She said she wanted her design to have a “cartoon-feel.” She said she hopes to teach elementary school one day.  

Honorable mentions were also recognized: Elijah Cartwright, Ana Correon, Lilly Gray, Claire King, Kaydence Meyer, Abigail Perez. More details about the license plate tag in a later T-G article.