Also, mayor joins International Center on trip to South Korea
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Mayor Tyler Moore announced that Leisan Turdalieva of Lafayette Park International Elementary is the winner of the 2024 Mayor’s Christmas Card Contest.
Mayor Moore introduced Leisan, along with the other seven finalists from each of the participating schools, on Dec. 12. Leisan’s design will be the official Christmas card of the mayor, and it will be sent to hundreds of individuals, including local, state and federal officials -- as well as the United States President and Vice-President.
Leisan’s design features a decorated home, a snowman and the words “Happy Holidays.”
"I am continually amazed by the creativity and artistic talent of our community's fourth-grade students," said Moore. "Seeing their festive artwork is truly one of the highlights of my year. The entries get more festive, and impressive, making the choice of a winner even more difficult!"
The annual contest, open to all fourth-grade students in the Kokomo School Corporation, has been a long-standing tradition between Kokomo School Corporation and the Mayor’s office for years. Local students submitted nearly 300 designs this year.
This year’s winner and finalists are:
Leisan Turdalieva, Lafayette Park International Elementary
Aubrie Minor, Pettit Park Elementary Technology Academy
Jonathan Fronczak, Wallace Elementary School of Integrated Arts
Avaleigh Nightingale, Sycamore International Elementary
Halanna Burnett, Elwood Haynes STEM Elementary
Genevieve McQuinn, Boulevard STEM Elementary
Lazjaiha Franklin, Lafayette Park International Elementary
Gryphon Partlow, Maple Crest Elementary
Mayor joins International Center on trip to South Korea
Kokomo Mayor Tyler Moore recently led an economic development delegation to South Korea alongside executives from Ivy Tech Community College and The International Center. The visit emphasized Kokomo’s commitment to international partnerships and the growing EV battery industry in north-central Indiana.
Since 2020, South Korean firms have pledged over $6.2 billion in investments in the Kokomo area, including the Samsung SDI-Stellantis joint venture, StarPlus Energy, which plans to build two EV battery production facilities.
“We’re incredibly grateful to the South Korean companies choosing Kokomo as their North American home,” said Mayor Moore. “Meeting with these leaders highlights the importance of their investments to our community and our commitment to a lasting, prosperous partnership with them.”
The delegation visited Samsung SDI’s headquarters in Yongin, South Korea, to learn about sustainability innovations, including battery recycling and the PRiMX brand. In Cheonan, South Korea, they toured SDI’s production facility and Technical Training Center, focusing on workforce development.
They also engaged with executives from the firms investing in Kokomo, including SoulBrain, Sangsin EDP, Jaewon Industrial, and Sang-A Frontec. Additional meetings with organizations like the Korea Trade Promotion Corporation, and the Korea International Trade Association in Seoul -- supported by The International Center's Korea-Indiana Partnership initiative -- aimed to strengthen business ties between Indiana and South Korea.
“The benefits this delegation team experienced during our visit to South Korea are invaluable to our continued efforts back here in Kokomo and Howard County, to not only welcome our Korean partners and friends, but to also strengthen the integration of our cultures as they become part of our community,” said Moore. “I would also extend my heartfelt thanks to Colin Renk and Yujin Seong from the International Center for their assistance in making this trip so incredible and successful.”