![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/Hope-being-surprised.webp?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cI\u2019m Joe Tedder,\u201d the man said. \u201cTax Collector.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Most high school seniors probably do not know what a tax collector is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now, Hallock has not only met one, but been awarded by one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYour art will be on the back of over 400,000 tax bills,\u201d said Tedder to Hallock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hallock was surprised to be the winner in the Tax Collector\u2019s inaugural \u201cKids Tax Art\u201d contest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her drawing will be printed on all the tax bill envelopes being mailed in the next few weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hallock, who is a Lakeland High School senior, said she wanted to capture Florida wildlife and scenery in her submission.<\/p>\n\n\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/lakelandgazette.info\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/design.webp?resize=768%2C432&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\u201cIn the middle there\u2019s a sandhill crane and then behind it, I was going to put the sun, of unity, of a circle. Then I realized, it\u2019s Florida, citrus. So I put an orange slice,\u201d she said of her drawing. \u201cI really like the way I made this piece, with graphite and ink and then layering.\u201dHallock said she has loved making art her whole life and has been taking classes since a young age.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her art teacher, Ariel Jones, said art skills can be used in all kinds of careers and in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe creative problem solving and the thinking that they get and being able to think through those problems and how can they represent something? That\u2019s something that can be applied to every part of their lives,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Polk County Tax Collector Joe Tedder came up with the \u201cKids Tax Art\u201d program while watching a segment on a national news show about a woman receiving medical bills with drawings on them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe truly believe in the arts. We believe the arts creates a tremendous amount of creativity, problem solving, expression,\u201d Tedder said. \u201cIt would not cost any more to have some black and white artwork on the back of the envelope.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hallock\u2019s was one of roughly 150 submissions from a select number of high schools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen we were going through all the artwork, two of the pieces of art were actually pictures of Grady Judd. So I was so frustrated thinking this is my program and even Grady\u2019s getting involved in my program,\u201d said Tedder with a laugh.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tedder said he will expand the contest to all high schools next year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This year though, it is Hope Hallock\u2019s name on a $2,500 scholarship check from Southern Homes and her drawing in the mailboxes of 400,000 Polk County property owners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt feels incredible, really. I think it looks really good. I\u2019m really happy with how it turned out,\u201d said Hallock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hallock said she hopes to attend the University of Florida and major in biomedical engineering, while keeping art as a hobby.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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