Students from Williamstown Independent Schools in Grant County, Drakes Creek Middle School in Warren County, Immaculate Heart of Mary in Boone County and Simpson Elementary in Simpson County took first place in the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet’s 2014 Adopt-a-Highway poster contest.
“The purpose of the contest is to increase environmental awareness among children,” Transportation Secretary Mike Hancock said. “We hope to educate our young people about the damaging effects of litter, and to change attitudes and behaviors about littering.”
The first-place winner in each of four categories receives a $100 gift card, while second-, and third-place winners each receive a $50 gift card. All the winners receive framed prints of their posters. Awards were presented at a luncheon ceremony today at the Thomas D. Clark Center for Kentucky History in Frankfort.
The winners are:
6-8 age category
1st place: Sarah Maloney, Simpson Elementary, Simpson County
2nd place: Kason Wright, Joe Harrison Carter Elementary, Monroe County
3rd place: Emily Ratliff, Bourbon Central Elementary, Bourbon County
9-11 age category
1st place: Aiden Holten, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Boone County
2nd place: Unyanee Rueangsaen, Natcher Elementary, Warren County
3rd place: Gabby Poynter, East Bernstadt Independent, Laurel County
12-14 age category
1st place: Keiko Nishijima, Drakes Creek Middle School, Warren County
2nd place: Paige Turner, Camp Ernst Middle School, Boone County
3rd place: Taylor Davidson, Barren County Middle School, Barren County
15-17 age category
1st place: Nicole Giesbers, Williamstown Independent Schools, Grant County
2nd place: Samantha Hurley, Williamstown Independent Schools, Grant County
3rd place: Tyler Danielle Hickman, Corbin High School, Whitley County
The Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) received 2,593 Adopt-a-Highway poster contest entries from students throughout the Commonwealth. Calendars featuring the winners’ posters will be provided to all the winners and their classrooms.
Secretary Hancock headed the team of judges, which included Kentucky State University associate professor of art John Bator, KYTC Public Affairs executive director Chuck Wolfe, KYTC graphics designer Jeremy Wooldridge and Margaret Romine, KYTC Adopt-a-Highway state coordinator. Judges did not know the identities of the artists or their schools.
“With so many excellent posters this year and a tremendous amount of entries submitted, it was really hard to judge,” Secretary Hancock said. “We appreciate all the hard work and effort the students put into their posters. Every entry is a winner.”
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet urges students and teachers to get an early start on the 2014 poster contest. The cabinet will begin accepting entries March 1, 2015. The entries will close on Sept. 30, 2015.
Story provided by Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
