Allen Harim is celebrating local student talent through its Student Art Scholarship Grant, recognizing Sussex Central High School senior Indri Escalante as the winner of the poultry company's inaugural student art competition.

The scholarship opportunity was open to students at high schools throughout Sussex County, challenging young artists to create original artwork inspired by themes important to Allen Harim – environmental stewardship, family farms, supporting local communities and producing high-quality, wholesome products.

Escalante's winning design now appears as a large-scale mural on one of the company's fire suppression tanks at Allen Harim's plant and corporate office near Millsboro. The artwork can be seen by employees, visitors and community members who pass by the property each day.

Escalante received a $500 scholarship for winning the competition, and Sussex Central High School's art department also received a $500 donation from Allen Harim to support future student artists.

“I wanted to create something that felt welcoming and positive,” said Escalante. “The theme was Growing Together, so I pictured a family working together on a farm. I wanted the artwork to reflect how important family farms, community and taking care of the environment are here on Delmarva.”

Escalante incorporated the Allen Harim logo into the barn featured in the mural to symbolize the company’s connection to local agriculture and the communities it serves.

“I wanted the drawing to feel friendly and family-oriented,” she said. “To me, a family planting crops together really represents what Growing Together means.”

Allen Harim CEO Mike Little said the project was a meaningful way for the company to connect with local students while celebrating the importance of agriculture and community on Delmarva.

“We have incredibly talented young people here in Sussex County, and this project gave students a chance to share that creativity in a really unique way,” said Little. “Indri’s artwork captures the heart of what we believe in at Allen Harim – hard work, family, community and caring for the land. We are proud to display her artwork at our headquarters and support arts education in our local schools.”

“I’m just really proud of Indri for what she’s done for the school and how she’s grown as a student,” said Jac Rust, art teacher at Sussex Central High School. “I’ve gotten to watch her art grow over the years, and it’s really impressive.”

For Escalante, the recognition has been both rewarding and unexpected.

"Seeing my artwork displayed on such a large scale is something I never imagined would happen," she said. "Knowing that people will see it every day makes me incredibly proud. It's an honor to have something I created become part of a place that means so much to the local community."

She said she hopes the mural leaves people with a simple but positive feeling when they see it.

“I just want them to smile and think about family,” Escalante said. “I hope it brings them a little bit of joy and gives them something positive that will spark their day.”

After graduation, Escalante plans to enter the workforce while continuing to pursue art as an important creative outlet.

“Art has always been a big hobby for me, and it’s taught me how to be creative and focus on details,” she said. “Even though my plan after high school is to go straight into the workforce, I still want to keep drawing.”

The mural will remain on display at Allen Harim’s facility for one year as a celebration of local talent, agriculture and community pride.