Illinois EPA Director honors young environmentalists during special awards reception

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott honored a group of distinguished fifth and sixth grade students selected for their creative skills, which they used to express environmental awareness and the impacts of climate change.  The writers and artists selected from throughout Illinois were recognized at a reception at the Hall of Flags and Auditorium in the Howlett Building in downtown Springfield on April 5.  The ceremony recognized the students for their efforts and concluded the Agency's 21st annual Poster, Poetry and Prose Contest. 

 

"The environmental decisions we make today—whether to drive to the grocery store or walk—will affect these students in the future," said Illinois EPA Director Doug Scott.  "Part of environmental stewardship is educating others.  I am confident that through their artwork, or by choosing to ride their bike to the movies, rather than have their parents drive them, these students will continue to educate their communities to make good environmental decisions."

 

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, or water.  Special emphasis is given to one of those three areas on an annual, rotating basis.  This year's lesson focused on the importance of minimizing air pollution with "Global Warming - What Can We Do?" as the event's theme.

 

"My poster was all about ways to stop Global Warming, and how much it is affecting us," said Haneen Habeeb, one of this year's top six young artists.  "If we can do little things like carpool or take a shower instead of a bath or even just plant a tree, we can make a huge difference."

 

A panel from the Illinois EPA judged all entries and selects the finalists, whose entries were then judged by an outside panel of authorities, to determine the top twelve winners. 

 

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.

 

Following the ceremony, the winning entries will be on exhibit in the atrium at Illinois EPA's Springfield headquarters from April 7 through May 5; the top 12 will be featured on the Illinois EPA's web site.

 

This year's winners who submitted written entries in the top six slots were:

 

Young artists whose posters placed in the top six slots were:

 

In addition to the top 12 winners, twelve other students received a ribbon, certificate, and an Honorable Mention medal in recognition of creativity, time and effort, and artistic skills.  Those students were:

·         Ashley Christensen from Roscoe, who attends Roscoe Middle School

·         Julia Condotti from Burr Ridge, who attends St. Cletus School

·         Klaudia Czaban from Chicago, who attends Greeley Elementary

·         Kelly Durkin from Park Ridge, who attends St. Monica Academy

·         Ozzy Hattermann from Bartonville, who attends Oak Grove East

·         Calvin Lam from Schaumburg, who attends Thomas Dooley Elementary

·         Clare Lohrmann from Downers Grove, who attends Avery Coonley School

·         Valerie Makri from Champaign, who attends Countryside School

·         Tiana Ninic from Oswego, who attends Fox Chase Elementary

·         Tamanna Phadke from Schaumburg, who attends Herbert Hoover Elementary

·         Stephanie Shrider from Roscoe, who attends Roscoe Middle School

·         Erin C. Stambulski from Creal Springs, who attends New Simpson Hill School

·         Elena Zimmerman from Champaign, who attends Countryside School

Also attending the ceremony were several other finalists who received a ribbon and certificate for their creative efforts.  In addition, tours of the Capitol and the Illinois State Museum were given before and after the awards ceremony.

 

Information about the annual event can be obtained by contacting Kristi Morris-Richards, environmental education coordinator for the IEPA at 1021 North Grand Avenue E., P.O. Box 19276, Springfield, IL, 62794-9276. 

 

-30-