Environment Secretary Ben Grumlin honors student artists in the 20th Annual Rethink Recycling sculpture Contest
High school students are encouraged to recycle and be creative with annual awards
BALTIMORE (MD) (November 19, 2021). Environment Secretary Ben Grumbles presented a grand prize and other prizes to eight students today at the 20th annual Rethink Recycling Sculpture Contest at Montgomery Park, Baltimore City.
Kimberly Perez Toro from Prince Georges County was the grand prize winner of an HP laptop. Moe Jr. was the winning entry. It was made of cardboard, paper and aluminum tabs. All the sculptures were made from recycled materials, just like the other entries.
The top prizes in four other categories were won by students from Carroll, Montgomery and Frederick counties. This year, 40 entries were received from 10 high schools across seven counties.
Maryland’s young artists encourage us all to reduce and reuse, recycle, recycle and rethink waste so that we can continue protecting the planet and fighting climate change into the future, Ben Grumbles, Maryland Department of the Environment secretary, said. Marylanders recycled 2.5million tons of municipal solid refuse last year, and diverted more 42 percent from landfills. Students’ innovations and creations are making the future brighter.
The category winners received Sony Wireless earbuds.
Creativity: Griffin Farquhar at Century High School in Carroll County, for Snake of Depression made of cardboard, newspaper and yarn
Workmanship: Abbey Jenkins (Liberty High School, Carroll County), for Scarlet Dragon, made from newspaper, cereal boxes and popsicle sticks
Gage Osborne, Northwest High School in Montgomery County, used materials for The Hurdler. It was made from a broken hurdle and scrap metal, Gatorade bottle, newspaper, newspaper bags, a paintbrush, wire, and cardboard.
People’s Choice: StevieFrancis Walkersville High School in Frederick County, for Athena. It was made of chicken wire, newspaper and cardboard
The $100 Amazon gift card winners who came in second place in each category were:
Creativity: Nigel Hafiz (Glenelg Country School), Howard County, for American Imperialism. It was made from hangers, a pool noodle, and other materials
Workmanship, Lacey Dustin, South Carroll High School Carroll County, for Maurice. Made from bottles, cans forks magazines, jewelry, batteries and other decorations
Material Use: Kierstan Lang, Century High School in Carroll County, for Guardian. It was made of soda cans and paper mache, toothpicks. foam, tree braces. push pins.
People’s Choice: Oumou Gningue at Suitland High school, Prince Georges County for Antique Jackalope. This was made with brown paper and wood sticks
The following sponsors sponsored the event:American Cleaning Institute; Maryland Recycling Network, Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Beverage Association and Waste Management Sponsors donated prizes and funding for this year’s contest.
The American Cleaning Institute’s Senior Director of Sustainability Nathan Sell stated that improving recycling across all walks is crucial to cleaning product supply chains. ACI and its members are proud of the creative artwork of Maryland students to keep recycling front-andcenter on a day to day basis.
John Lewis, curator and writer and former teacher of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Chelsea Anspach and Amanda Smit–Peters, communications managers for the Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, and Deirdre For-Aikin, owners of Triple Crown Towson and York and Penn Public Art Gallery. Kaley Laleker, director of the Maryland Department of the Environments Land and Materials Administration.
The Department of the Environment hosts the annual Rethink recycling sculpture contest every year to celebrate America Recycles Day. Students from high schools across Maryland are invited participate in the Rethink Recycling Sculpture Contest. They will create sculptures using recycled and reusable materials. Rethink Recycling is one of the many ways MDE educates and empowers people to reuse and repurpose materials that would otherwise have gone to landfills.
Find out how you can reduce, reuse, recycle, and buy recycled products.visit MDEs recycling web page. The department’s mission is to protect and restore Maryland’s environment for the well-being and health of all Marylanders.
# # #
