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2012 Contest
Going Green to Keep Your Storm Water Clean!
Students recognized for creativity on the importance of preventing water pollution
On Saturday, March 31, Illinois EPA Interim Director John Kim 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 25th annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest. This year's theme focused on storm water pollution and ways to prevent it with Going Green to Keep Your Storm Water Clean!
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 Interim Director Kim. "Part of environmental stewardship is educating others. These students will be able to help others in their communities to make good environmental decisions."
Poetry/Prose Top Award Winners:
Grace Braden
Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston
Max Calk
East Lake Academy in Lake Forest
Karly Coffey
Jefferson Elementary School in Charleston
Lauren Elias
Pleasant Lane in Lombard
Jason Gluzkin
Washington School in Glenview
Angela Rauch
Prince of Peace School in Lake Villa
Young artists whose posters placed in the top six slots were:
Alycia Bhargava
Nancy Young Elementary in Aurora
Alondra Cervantes
Hermes Elementary School in Aurora
Jennifer Ilc
Washington School in Glenview
Aditi Prabhu
Nancy Young Elementary in Aurora
Isreal Sandoval
Simmons Middle School in Aurora
Darija Stanojevic
Washington School in Glenview
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.
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 water pollution.
The students, their families, and teachers were invited to the reception at which the top 12 winners received environmental reference books for their school libraries. The winners, along with all finalists, also received certificates and ribbons for their creative efforts. In addition to the award, tours of the Capitol and the Illinois State Museum were given to winners before and after the awards ceremony.
Following the ceremony, the winning entries will be on exhibit in the atrium at Illinois EPA's Springfield headquarters from April 2 through May 2; the top 12 entries will be featured on the Illinois EPA's web site.
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.