Western Pennsylvania’s celebration of Earth Day 2016 will include a display of award-winning artwork created by local students who entered the 6th annual Let’s Clear the Air Poster Challenge sponsored by the Southwest Pennsylvania Air Quality Partnership and the PA Resources Council.

And the winners are--

-- Elementary Category

-- First Place:  Michael Ondercin from St. Malachy, Allegheny County (photo)

-- Second Place:  Lauren Van Fossen, Butler Catholic, Butler County

-- Middle School Category

-- First Place:  Zahara Udaipurwala, Quaker Valley Middle, Allegheny County

-- Second Place:  Kira Pavlik, St. Bernadette, Allegheny County

-- High School Category

-- First Place:  Isabella Zuccaro, Hopewell High, Beaver County

-- Second Place:  Ethan Bailey, Greensburg Central Catholic, Westmoreland County

“This year we’re excited to expand the program to enable people living throughout southwestern Pennsylvania to cast their votes for our new ‘People’s Choice’ Award,” said Sarah Alessio Shea, PRC Environmental Education Coordinator.  “Now through the end of April, individuals can visit the PRC website to cast their votes to select one of three pieces of artwork, and the winner will be announced in May at a reception to honor our young artists.”

More than 1,900 students attending 35 public, parochial and private schools in a 10-county region took part in the poster challenge during the 2015-16 academic year.

“For a sixth school year, students were challenged with creating posters to educate the public, and again they did an amazing job of visually depicting their thoughts and perspectives,” according to SPAQP Chair Betsy Mallison.  "The goal of the program is to teach students about the effects of air pollution, how to reduce their exposure, and to then encourage action through a poster campaign promoting clean air and alternative transportation.”

Students created posters using a variety of art media including watercolor, pen and ink, crayon, marker and charcoal.

The winning artwork will be on display April 18 – 22 in the grand lobby of the City-County Building in Downtown Pittsburgh.  The artwork will also be on display May 1 – 21 at the Children’s Museum in Pittsburgh.

Individuals can vote online for the “People’s Choice” Award through April 30.

For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the PA Resources Council website.  Click Here to sign up for regular updates, follow PRC on Twitter or Like them on Facebook.  Click Here for PRC’s Events Calendar.

4/18/2016