Maya Glass, a student at Jemicy School in Baltimore County, won the grand prize of a Microsoft Surface Pro 7+ Tablet and two passes to the National Aquarium at the Maryland Department of the Environment’s 22nd annual “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Contest today at Montgomery Park in Baltimore City. The winning entry, made from shoes, was entitled “Trampled”.
The Maryland Recycling Network presented the grand prize winner with a check for $250 in addition to the other prizes. Students from Carroll, Queen Anne’s and Prince George’s counties won the top prizes in four other categories. This year, 62 entries from 20 high schools were on display. The students made their sculptures from reused materials.
“These sculptures bring the benefits of recycling to life in a beautiful way,” said Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain. “Waste diversion reduces the amount of material going into landfills, and that helps us reduce greenhouse gasses and fight climate change.”
The category first-place winners, each of whom received Bose Quietcomfort Earbuds and two passes to the National Aquarium were:
- Creativity: Ashlynn Kief, Manchester Valley High School, for “Lady Dale & Milkbone”
- Workmanship: Kyra Stefanoski, Century High School, for “Bernard the Boysenberry Octopus”
- Use of Materials: Lexi Harris, Kent Island High School, for “Precious Peacock”
- People’s Choice: Samina Nelson, Suitland High School, for “The Royal”
The second-place winners in each category, who received $100 Amazon gift cards and two passes to the National Aquarium, were:
- Creativity: Samadhi Jones, Suitland High School, for “The Departure”
- Workmanship: Azera Graham, Suitland High School, for “Esterfester”
- Use of Materials: Santania Vo, Century High School, for “Tree of Life”
- People’s Choice: Ryli Standcliff, South Carroll High School, for “CDs with a Porpoise”
Sponsors of the event were the American Cleaning Institute, Waste Management, the Maryland Recycling Network, made+ and the National Aquarium. Sponsors donated prizes, funding and refreshments for this year’s contest. The Maryland Recycling Network presented the grand prize winner with a check for $250 in addition to the other prizes.
“ACI is proud to support this effort to bring greater attention to recycling,” said Ana Fraisse, Manager, Sustainability Engagement at the American Cleaning Institute. “Our goals to reduce waste from cleaning product packaging won’t be met without greater understanding of how to recycle, so we thank the Maryland Department of the Environment and the contest participants for their hard work in this event!”