The 2023 South Carolina Governor’s Art Contest on Litter Prevention Winners Announced
Columbia, SC (March 15, 2023) – Each year, PalmettoPride invites elementary students in South Carolina to participate in the Governor’s Art Contest on Litter Prevention. Through their artwork, students illustrate the theme Litter Trashes Everyone. Education is key to litter prevention, and as thousands of students across the state continue to participate in the contest each year, the future of South Carolina’s environmental landscape is bright.
“Education plays a vital role in changing litter habits,” said Lt. Governor Pamela Evette. “Through this art contest, we educate by engaging with our student’s creative talents to teach them the important role we all play in keeping our state litter free.”
By providing an opportunity for students to highlight their artistic talents and to learn about the ways through which litter negatively impacts our environment, students emerge as advocates to keep our state beautiful. Teachers are asked to present a lesson on litter for students before students create their artwork. Each participating school then selects an entry to be considered for the contest. From there, PalmettoPride selects five finalists – four regional winners (Lowcountry, Midlands, Pee Dee, and the Upstate) and one statewide winner.
The 2023 Governor’s Art Contest on Litter Prevention finalists are as follows:
Venus Marin, 5th Grade at Bell’s Crossing Elementary in Simpsonville (State)
Drake Lynch, 5th Grade at All Saints Episcopal Day School in Florence (Pee Dee)
Lily Duncan, 4th Grade at Berkeley Elementary in Moncks Corner (Lowcountry)
Rosemarie Grace Williams, 2nd Grade at Clear Dot Elementary in Columbia (Midlands)
Lyric Holliday, 5th Grade at Tigerville Elementary in Taylors (Upstate)
The finalists, along with their families and teachers, were invited to join Lt. Governor Pamela Evette and PalmettoPride at the South Carolina Statehouse on Wednesday, March 15th at 11:00 a.m. where they were recognized for their outstanding artwork.
“This contest grows every year much to the leadership of the teachers and schools who embrace programs like this. All entries are special to PalmettoPride as we know that each student will remember the litter prevention lesson,” said Sarah Lyles, Executive Director for PalmettoPride.
Finalists receive monetary donations and framed artwork. Each finalist’s school receives a framed copy of their student’s artwork. The statewide winner’s art will be featured on PalmettoPride’s 2024 volunteer t-shirts.
Annually, the contest typically begins in October and concludes in the following February. This calendar year saw a 52% increase in school participation, with 147 schools across the state and 18,255 students. For more information on PalmettoPride, contact education@palmettopride.org.
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PalmettoPride is working towards a litter-free South Carolina. Created as a legislative initiative to fight litter and help beautify South Carolina by engaging citizens to take action in their communities through education, enforcement, awareness, and pickup.