Avery Merritt, a Jensen Beach High School sophomore, will have her very own photography featured on the cover of the Pink Tie Friends' 2010 Light of Hope Calendar after winning a contest at the Starbuck's Ultimate Roasting Experience on April 28 th, an event that drew over 300 people and raised over $5,000 for breast cancer patients.

Merritt, a lifetime Jensen Beach resident and photography student at JBHS, came up with the idea for her photograph after learning of the Pink Tie Friends' annual theme: Light of Hope, which will be the foundation for the 2010 Calendar, annual Luncheon on August 15 th and Pink Tie Gala on October 3 rd. Along with forty seven other Jensen Beach High School students, Merritt displayed her photograph at the Starbuck's Ultimate Roasting Experience for the attendees to judge.

"There were so many amazing photos, so I was shocked to learn I had won," said Merritt, who aspires to attend the University of North Florida and possibly major in Criminal Justice. "It's such an honor to be chosen, and I can't wait to see the calendar!"

The 2010 Calendar will be released on August 15 th at the Pink Tie Friends Annual Friendship Luncheon, which will be held from 11:00 am - 3:00 pm at the Port St. Lucie Civic Center. Calendars may be purchased for $10 each by contacting Carolyn Wilsey at (772) 521-6568 or wilsey1@bellsouth.net.

Pink Tie Friends is an organization comprised of hard-working volunteers that are dedicated to assisting uninsured and underinsured breast cancer patients throughout Martin, St. Lucie and Indian River Counties. All proceeds from the 2010 Light of Hope Calendar and Friendship Luncheon will be used to support these men and women in their fight against breast cancer. For more information contact Carolyn Wilsey at (772) 521-6568 or wilsey1@bellsouth.net. Also, please visit www.pinktiefriends.org.