WILMINGTON, N.C. (WWAY) — Cheerwine has announced the 10 student finalists, including one from Pender County, in the 2026 Cheerwine Festival T-Shirt Contest, spotlighting young creatives from across the Carolinas.
Now a signature part of the Festival, the annual competition invites high school students to design original artwork inspired by Cheerwine’s heritage.
This year, more than 100 submissions poured in from dozens of schools, each reflecting a fresh take on the iconic cherry soda. A judging panel including Salisbury Mayor Tamara Sheffield, City of Salisbury Events Coordinator Vivian Koontz, and Joy Ritchie Harper, Vice President of Marketing and fifth-generation founding family member at Cheerwine, selected the top 10 entries…