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2011 Contest
Breathing Easier – What Can We Do? It’s Up to Me and You!
Students recognized for creativity on the importance of protecting land resources
On Saturday, April 2, Illinois EPA Associate Director Elmo Dowd honored a group of distinguished Illinois fifth and sixth grade students selected for their creative skills used to express environmental awareness, as part of the Agency’s 24th annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest. This year’s theme focused on air pollution and ways to prevent it with Breathing Easier – What Can We Do? It’s Up to Me and You!
The writers and artists selected from throughout Illinois were recognized at a reception in the Howlett Building in downtown Springfield.
“The environmental decisions we make today will affect these students in the future,” said Associate Director Dowd. “Part of environmental stewardship is educating others, I am confident that these students will help others in their communities to make good environmental decisions.”
A panel from the Illinois EPA judged all entries and selected the finalists, whose entries were then judged by an outside panel of authorities, to determine the top 12 winners.
Reem Habeeb with Washington School, Glenview: “My work shows my thoughts on how we the people can make a huge difference on the quality of our air for the benefit of future generations.”
Nissa Larson with Jefferson Elementary School, Charleston: “I hope that this artwork will help make the Earth a better place to live, even if it's just a little bit at a time!”
Maggie Neff with Rotolo Middle School, Batavia: “I really think I did a good job with this poem. I believe in everything I wrote about in it. I have asthma problems myself, so I know how important it is to have clean and fresh air.”
Each spring, students learn about environmental protection of the air, land, and water through the Agency’s environmental education guide, “Environmental Pathways – Youth Investigating Pollution Issues in Illinois.” Following the completion of the guide, students use their creative talents to visually articulate, in the form of a poster or a written work, their ideas of how they can protect our precious resources – air, land, and water. Special emphasis is given to one of those three areas on an annual, rotating basis with this year’s focus being on preventing air pollution.
The students, their families, and teachers were invited to the reception at which the top 12 winners received U.S. savings bonds and environmental reference books for their school libraries. The winners, along with all finalists, also received certificates and ribbons for their creative efforts.
Poetry/Prose Top Award Winners:
Emily Koch
A-C Central Middle School
Cameron Kruger
Manteno Middle School
Maggie Neff
Rotolo Middle School
Malika Ramani
Avery Coonley School
Isabella Spinelli
Avery Coonley School
Spencer Stowell
Jefferson Elementary School
Posters Top Award Winners:
Madeline Cohen
Avery Coonley School
Reem Habeeb
Washington School
Marco Lambo
Washington School
Nissa Larson
Jefferson Elementary School
Jessica Rangel
Middleton Elementary School
Julia Romanowski
Timber Ridge Middle School
In addition to the award, tours of the Capitol and the Illinois State Museum were given to winners before and after the awards ceremony.
Special Recognition Awards
Poetry/Prose |
Posters |
|---|---|
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| * Honorable Mention |
Information about the annual event can be obtained by contacting Kristi Morris, environmental education coordinator for the Illinois EPA at 1021 North Grand Avenue E., P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL, 62794-9276.