ECU student from Kitty Hawk wins LifeWTR water bottle label design competition

Noelle Story poses with her winning design wrapped around a column at the Main Campus Student Center. [ECU photo by Rhett Butler]

Noelle Story, an East Carolina University student from Kitty Hawk, was selected as the grand prize winner for her LifeWTR water bottle label design in a contest sponsored by Minges Bottling Group, a Pepsi-Cola company and ECU’s exclusive beverage provider.

“In this piece I wanted to illustrate inclusivity, respect and integrity by including a diverse range of individuals,” Story said in her contest statement of purpose. “I also included a heart they’ve created in the center to show that they are all united by love and have respect for one another.”

Story, a freshman majoring in art with an intended concentration in graphic design, is the daughter of Tim Story and Christie Story and a graduate of First Flight High School.

Centering on ECU’s core values, 37 designs were submitted in the fall for the “Art through the Eyes of a Pirate” competition. The submissions were narrowed to the top 15 finalists, whose design posters hung in the Main Campus Student Center in December and January.

On Tuesday, Landon Minges, vice president of operations for Minges Bottling Group, along with Amity Aldridge, director of marketing, and Sterling Whitley, chief strategic officer, presented Story with a $2,500 scholarship, a framed print of her artwork, a swag bag of merchandise and several cases of bottled water.

Minges said the idea for the LifeWTR art competition came about as a way to give back to the academic side of the university and work with the art department “to have someone design a label expressed through the eyes of a Pirate.” The company’s LifeWTR product is known for highlighting different artists and themes in its branding, Aldridge said.

Faculty members from the ECU School of Art and Design, staff members and Story’s father, Tim, also attended the presentation at the student center food court, where the design is wrapped around two columns. Other signage featuring the design is expected soon.