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Elementary Students in Maine get Environmental Protection Agency Award

Release Date: 05/18/04
Contact Information: Contact: Amy Miller, Public Affairs Office, 617-918-1042

For Immediate Release: 5/18/04; Release # 04-05-15

BOSTON – About 40 children from 11 Maine elementary schools received US EPA Paul G. Keough Earth Artist awards at a celebration today at the Augusta Armory in Augusta, Maine.

Students from around New England participated in the 32nd annual Earth Artist contest to demonstrate their knowledge of and commitment to a clean environment.

"These students in Maine and throughout New England understand what it takes to protect our environment, and have done artwork that encourages all of us to help keep our air, land and water cleaner,” said EPA New England's regional administrator Robert W. Varney. “At our ceremony, we recognize students in Maine, who may well be tomorrow’s environmental leaders.”

Maine winners of the Earth Artist contest were recognized at the ceremony, where their art and poetry was 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 Maine schools were recognized at the ceremony:

• New Country School, W. Baldwin
• Lincoln Middle School, Portland
• Central Middle School, Corinth
• School Around Us, Arundel
• St. Thomas School, Sanford
• Walton School, Auburn
• Memorial School, New Gloucester
• Washburn Elementary School, Washburn
• Minot Consolidated School, Minot
• Molly Ockett Middle School, Fryeburge
• Madawaska Elementary School, Madawaska