Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash’s popular Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest continues to highlight exceptional artwork from area fourth and fifth grade artists. The top 12 student artist finalists were honored for their award-winning artwork at a special ceremony held at the Cranbrook Institute of Science in Bloomfield Hills on December 9.
The 2024 Kids’ Clean Water Calendar grand prize winner Sally Huang, a fifth grader from Troy’s Leonard Elementary School, was awarded the top honor for her artwork entitled, “Save Water, Save Nature, Save Life.” Her artwork is showcased on the cover of the 2024 calendar and will be highlighted in the month of March.
The 2024 calendar’s theme: “We Can All Help to Keep Oakland County’s Lakes, Rivers, Streams, and Watersheds Clean!” represents the 12 finalists’ monthly messages and the 12 honorable mention semifinalists’ ideas regarding how to keep our waterways and environment pollution-free. The topics emphasized through the art depict how to prevent water pollution while promoting conservation and recreational activities. Nearly 600 art submissions were received from 26 participating schools.
“Empowering young minds through initiatives like the Kids’ Clean Water Calendar Contest not only nurtures a passion for creativity but also fosters an understanding of environmental
stewardship,” said Nash. “Educating our youth about the importance of water not only shapes their future but ensures a generation committed to preserving our natural resources for years to come.”
The contest’s grand prize winner, Sally Huang, has the distinction of being the sixth consecutive student from the Troy community to win the grand prize, and is the eighth Troy student in the contest’s 19-year history to win. Sally will be one of the four Troy student finalists out of twelve total monthly finalists to have their artwork featured in the calendar.
Alongside our office, judges for the contest included staff from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy; Oakland County Economic Development and Community Affairs; Oakland County Facilities Management and Operations; Oakland County Parks and Recreation, the Road Commission for Oakland County, Michigan State University Extension Oakland County, the Clinton River Watershed Council and the host of Detroit Public Television “Great Lakes Now” Anna Sysling.
“The submissions for this year’s Kids’ Calendar Contest were so inspiring! Congratulations to winner Sally Huang from Troy’s Leonard Elementary for her submission, ‘Save Water, Save Nature, Save Life.’ We all have a part to play in spreading awareness about how to live in a spirit of kinship with the natural world and that includes, respectfully, using the resources nature provides which her artwork captured. Way to go, to all the students who spent their time, energy and attention creating art for the Great Lakes environment!” said Anna Sysling.
A limited amount of free calendars will be available at 37 local libraries and the Pontiac Regional Chamber, and are available to order online at oakgov.com/calendarcontest. Check with a local library as supplies are limited. For additional calendar information, contact WRC Environmental Planner Jacy Garrison at 248-858-5264 or garrisonj@oakgov.com.
Environmental Planner Jacy Garrison said, “Since the calendar contest’s inception, nearly 16,000 4th and 5th grade students have been engaged to learn about natural resource protection and 100,000 calendars have been distributed throughout communities in Oakland County and beyond to teach others about how to protect our environment!”
Calendars will be available this month. Each year, Pure Oakland Water (POW), a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, provides funding to print the 5,500 calendars and prizes for the 12 contest winners.
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