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Children at 10 Rhode Island Schools Win Awards for Environmental Art

Release Date: 05/24/2006
Contact Information: David Deegan, (617) 918-1017

(Boston, Mass. - May 24, 2006) – More than 50 children from 10 Rhode Island elementary schools received U.S. EPA Paul G. Keough Earth Artist awards at a celebration in Providence.

Students from around New England participated in the 34th annual Earth Artist contest to demonstrate their knowledge of and commitment to a clean environment.

"Students in Rhode Island and elsewhere in New England are our best hope for the future protection of our environment,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “This ceremony recognizes artwork done by these students to encourage all of us to help keep our air, land and water cleaner.”

Rhode Island winners of the Earth Artist contest were recognized at the ceremony where their art and poetry were displayed. Students received certificates for their accomplishments.

The Earth Artists program requires that teachers use class time to talk about environmental issues. The students are encouraged to submit either a poem or poster to EPA New England that demonstrates their knowledge. Children from kindergarten through sixth grade are eligible to participate. All submissions are judged by a panel of EPA staff.

Students from the following Rhode Island schools were recognized at the ceremony:

· E.S. Rhodes School & Stone Hill School, Cranston, RI
· St. Pius V School, Providence, RI
· Sarah Dyer Barnes School & Graniteville School, Johnston RI
· Fallon Elementary School, Pawtucket, RI
· Christ the Redeemer Academy & Deering Middle School, West Warwick, RI
· W.L. Callahan Elementary School, Harrisville, RI
· Little Red Hen School, East Greenwich, RI
· Children’s Place Ltd, Rumford, RI

For more information on the awards, see: epa.gov/ne/students/poem.html

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