Environmental protection advocates cited

Students and schools who participated in the logo, haiku, essay and recycling contests for this year’s Environmental Awareness Week were recognized in a ceremony at the Garapan Street Market last night.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Division of Environmental Quality director John I. Castro Jr. presented the awards to the students, schools, individual, business and non-profit organization that have actively participated in activities that promotes, protect and save the environment.

The Division of Environmental Quality earlier this year invited the schools and its students to participate in the logo, essay and poem contests on the theme “Our Environment, Our Health, Our Future.”

Winners of the logo contest are Harlyn Elayda, 10th grade, Saipan Southern High School; Henry Atalig Jr., 8th grade, Rota Jr. High School; and Rena Santos, 6th grade, Tanapag Elementary School.

The winners of the Haiku poem contest are Chauncey Calvo, 5th grade, Rota Sinapalo Elementary School; Daryl Reyes, 6th grade, Gregorio T. Camacho Elementary School; and Mariel Flores, 6th grade, San Antonito Elementary School. The poem contest was for elementary schools only.

“Due to the efforts of all talented students, we had countless entries from which to choose from making the winning selection very challenging and enjoyable for all the contests. We are very fortunate to have such gifted young people participating in these contests and expressing their concern for our environment,” DEQ said in a statement.

The essay contest was for high school students only and the winners are Angelo Marchadesch, 12th grade, Kagman High School; Heather Calderwood, 10th grade, Marianas High School; and Ariel Villagomez, 9th grade, Marianas High School.

DEQ also held a “We Can Recycle” contest for all private and public schools on Saipan. The schools had a chance to collect and recycle aluminum cans, cardboard, paper, and plastic starting Feb. 1 through April 8.

A total of 9 entries were received from the schools around Saipan and Errico/Maeda Joint Venture, who co-sponsored the contest, donated the cash prize for the first, second and third place winners.

Grace Christian Academy collected the most recycled materials at a weight of 7,624 lbs to win the $500 cash prize, followed by San Antonio Elementary School with 4,148 lbs of materials to win $300 cash. The third prize of $200 went to San Roque Elementary School, which collected 3,295 lbs of recycled materials.

Recipients of the Environmental Recognition Awards are Ruth Tighe for individual; Garapan Elementary School for school; Hotel Nikko Saipan for business and Light In The Eve for a non-profit organization.

Aside from the ceremony, various government agencies and private businesses also put up displays and exhibits about the importance of preserving, maintaining and protecting the environment. (PR)