| U.S. Savings Bonds and
individually inscribed environmental books for their
school libraries were presented to six young writers and
artists by the Illinois EPA in Springfield on March 15.
Presentations to the fifth grade winners in the Agency's
10th annual environmental education program were made
during an evening reception at the First of America Bank. More than 37,000 Illinois students took part
in the program during January, studying environmental
concepts, then illustrating what they learned through
posters or poetry or prose compositions. Each
participating school is eligible to send one entry in
each category for judging in Springfield. Fifth grade
teachers in approximately 650 Illinois schools
participated this year.
Winners in the poster category were
Michael Hochstetler, Dee-Mack Middle School, Deer Creek;
James Sharpe, Link School, Elk Grove; and Brandon
Wittchen, O'Donnell School, Aurora.
In the poems/prose category, top award
winners were Justine Bland, Lostant School, Lostant;
Michael Godziszewski, of Norridge, St. Eugene School,
Chicago, and Kristy Woolard, Witt Middle School, Witt.
The works chosen as finalists and prize
winners remained on display at the bank for a week.
Theme of the contest this year was
"Water: the Liquid of Life."
James Park, chief of the Bureau of Water
in the Illinois EPA, congratulated the winners and
finalists on their creative efforts, and urged them to be
leaders in encouraging everyday activities to reduce
pollution and protect the environment they will inherit.
"This Agency has always been a
strong advocate of environmental education," Park
said. "Today's youngsters will be the environmental
policy makers of tomorrow, and it is important for you,
today, to start thinking about how to protect the world
you will have to live in tomorrow, and that you will in
turn leave to generations that follow you."
Joining Park in presenting the awards
were Roger Selburg, manager of the Division of Public
Water Supplies; Janet Hawes-Davis, the Agency's
Environmental Education Coordinator, and Dennis McMurray,
manager of the Office of Public Information.
Winners and finalists are invited to
attend the reception with their families, teachers and
school principals. Finalists were recognized individually
and received a ribbon and certificate of participation.
|
 Winners
pose with Bureau of Water officials in front of their
prize-winning entries in the Illinois EPA's 10th
Environmental Awareness program. From left are James
Park, Bureau chief; Kristy Wollard, Witt; James Sharpe,
Elk Grove; Brandon Wittchen, Aurora; Michael Hochstetler,
Deer Creek; Justine Bland, Lostant; Michael Godziszewski,
Chicago; Roger Selburg, manager of the Division of Public
Water Supplies.
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