Illinois EPA Honors Young Environmentalists in 25th Annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest Ceremony

SPRINGFIELD — Today, 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 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.”

 

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

 

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. A complete listing of winners, including Special Recognition recipients, is on the Illinois EPA web site at: www.epa.state.il.us.   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, or Kristi.Morris@Illinois.gov.