MPS Announces Earth Day Essay and Poster Winners

Maine Public Service awarded five students $100 savings bonds for first-place Earth Day essays and posters, created to identify the theme: “Earth Day 40: Celebrating 40 years of Earth Day”

Maine Public Service awarded five students $100 savings bonds for first-place Earth Day essays and posters, created to identify the theme: “Earth Day 40: Celebrating 40 Years of Earth Day”  The winners were announced in honor of Earth Day, April 22, 2010. First place winners receive a recognition plaque, a $100 savings bond, and a gift certificate donated by Maine Potato Growers. Teachers of the first-place winners receive an environment book. Second-place winners receive a plaque and a $75 savings bond.  Third-place winners receive a plaque and a $50 savings bond. All winners receive an Earth Day T-shirt, and all participants receive Earth Day certificates of achievement. Look for the posters and essays at the Aroostook Centre Mall.

This year's poster winners are: 1st place, Lauren Paradis, Grade 1, Dr. Levesque School; 2nd place, Larry Nadeau, Grade 2, Wallagrass Elementary School; and 3rd place, Alex Bouchard, Grade 2, New Sweden School. Posters drawn by Evan Dionne, Grade 1, Madawaska Elementary School and Brandon Ringuette, Grade 1, Madawaska Elementary School were selected for honorable mention.

Winning essays for the Grade 3-5 category are: 1st place, James Cyr, Grade 4, Madawaska Elementary School; 2nd Place, Sierra Rhoda, Grade 4, Houlton Southside School; and 3rd place, Elijah Older, Grade 4, Houlton Southside School. Honorable mention was awarded to Alannah Violette, Grade 4, of Houlton Southside School.

Grade 6-8 winners are: 1st place, William Popov, Grade 8, Presque Isle Middle School; 2nd place, Justin Nason, Grade 7, Ashland Middle School; and 3rd place, Anna Cannon, Grade 8, Presque Isle Middle School.  Honorable mentions were awarded to Jacqueline Lambert, Grade 8, Presque Isle Middle School and Nicholas LaJoie, Grade 8, of Van Buren District Secondary School.

Winners in the Grade 9-10 division are: 1st place, Mark Levasseur, Grade 10, Van Buren District Secondary School; 2nd place, Myka Caron, Grade 9, Van Buren District Secondary School; and 3rd place, Lindsey Graves, Grade 10, of Fort Fairfield Middle/High School.

Winners of the 11-12 division are: Justin Lewin, Grade 12, Presque Isle High School; 2nd Place, Bonnie Wylder, Grade 11, Presque Isle High School; and 3rd Place is awarded to Paul Elish, Grade 11, Presque Isle High School.

April 22, 2010, marks the 40th anniversary of the original Earth Day. The international focus on Earth Day reflects the global scope of all major environmental issues, including global warming, deforestation, ozone depletion, the rain forest, renewable energy resources, energy conservation, and hazardous, toxic wastes.

Carol McElwee, Denise Bosse, and Robert White, all of Caribou, and Nancy Chandler from Maine Public Service Company, judged the Earth Day entries.

Pleased with the huge number of participants in the contest, MPS Supervisor of Conservation and Education Services Nancy Chandler said, "This year we received more than 500 creative ideas from writers and artists. Creative ways of celebrating Earth Day’s 40th anniversary ranged from planting a tree for each one that is cut to making the land more beautiful by cleaning all the ditches near our homes. One 8th grade writer states, “Instead of riding the bus to school, students should be encouraged to walk or ride a bike to school. Also, instead of using paper, pencils, and computers throughout the day, teachers could plan activities to get the students involved with helping our Earth. Activities could include cleaning the school grounds from trash, collecting items in the school that are no longer used and could be recycled, planting trees, and more!”  A fourth grade student writes, “40 years ago people were being good to the Earth without realizing it. Most people were poor, and there were many big families. People did not waste food or water. They reused spray bottles that had contained cleaners and chemicals so they didn’t have to buy new ones. There was no such thing as bottled water. They were being good to the earth and we should try to do the same. The Earth needs some help. There are many ways to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Earth Day, so please help the earth in these ways and more. Be a green citizen!”

There are many ways we can celebrate Earth Day. Maine Public Service is proud to celebrate Earth Day through the talented writers and artist in its service territory. Remember you can make a difference during this 40th anniversary of Earth Day. One student reminds us to appreciate our Earth and do many small things that will help keep the Earth functioning well. Plant a tree, fix a leaky faucet, use both sides of the paper, carpool, use fluorescent bulbs, and turn things off when you are done using them - just some of the many suggestions from the Earth Day essayists.
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