News Releases - 1999

Youngsters Recognized For Creative Environmental Works

Springfield, Ill. -- On Saturday, March 20, a total of 50 posters and written works which look at the importance of clean air from the fifth and sixth grade perspective started a month-long display at the Illinois State Museum. The museum's lower level corridor gallery was the site of a reception hosted by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency honoring youngsters from around the state who submitted the works after intensive study of "The Air We Breathe" during January.

This year four students entered works selected as finalists in both the written and poster categories. One, Kelsey Straeter, of Breese, who attends St. Rose Elementary School, took a first place award in each category.

Other top winners were Kristin Ayers, Fowler, who attends Liberty Grade School; Caitlin Hall, Chicago, St. Christina School; Jamie Claire Hewitt, Chicago, Roycemore School; and Charlie Knibbs, Chicago, St. Christina School.

The event is part of the Illinois EPA's "Air, Land & Water" program, which this year attracted 556 Illinois teachers with total classroom enrollments of 88,148 students.

The annual reception is the highlight for the Illinois EPA's 12-year-old environmental awareness effort. Participating teachers are provided curricula focusing on the importance of unpolluted air, land or water. At the end of the intensive classroom focus, students write or draw their interpretations of what they have learned.

From entries selected at each school to represent it in the statewide judging, 50 finalists are selected. These are then further narrowed by a second jury which picks three written works and three posters whose creators each receive $50 U.S. savings bonds and specially inscribed environmental books for their school libraries. All finalists receive ribbons.

This year, there will be only 44 finalists, since four students entered works selected as finalists in both the written and poster categories. One, Kelsey Straeter, of Breese, who attends St. Rose Elementary School, took a first place award in each category.

The finalists, their families and teachers have been invited to attend the March 20 reception. All the finalists' works will remain on display at the museum through April. Information about the winners, their photos and their winning entries will be featured on the Illinois EPA's homepage at <www.epa.state.il.us>

A complete list of all finalists, their home towns and their schools, follows: