Elementary Division: Eva Whitson, 3rd Grade, Normal Park Lower
Middle School Division: Kaylie Hallett, 7th Grade, Loftis
High School Division: Samantha Alton, 10th Grade, Silverdale Baptist Academy
Hamilton County Mayor Jim Coppinger will recognize the winners of the annual Hamilton SHINES Billboard Art Contest during ceremonies at each student’s school this week.
Each student will receive a plaque, a pin, and a poster-size rendition of their billboard. In addition, a full size billboard featuring their artwork will be posted near their school within the month.
There were 41 elementary school entries, 31 middle school entries, and 14 high school entries in this year’s contest.
The 2014 winners were:
Elementary Division: Eva Whitson, 3rd Grade, Normal Park Lower
Middle School Division: Kaylie Hallett, 7th Grade, Loftis
High School Division: Samantha Alton, 10th Grade, Silverdale Baptist Academy
The Hamilton SHINES Billboard Art Contest is co-sponsored by the Scenic Cities Beautiful Commission, in cooperation with the Hamilton County Department of Education Character Education Program.
Hamilton SHINES is an anti-litter program initiated by the County Mayor’s Office in August 2005. Its mission is to reduce the practice of littering through education and law enforcement. Though the Hamilton SHINES program has several components including cooperation with local law enforcement and incorporation of a Clean Builder’s Checklist into building inspection process, the most successful effort to date has been the anti-litter contests at all HCDE public schools. Students participate each year in a comprehensive program that raises awareness about littering and enlists the help of students in changing the littering behaviors of others at home and in their communities.
Research proves that litter - intentional or unintentional - attracts more litter. A clean community, by contrast, discourages littering and raises local living standards and quality of life. Solutions to litter problems are not about cleaning up after the fact; they come from thoughtful prevention. Knowing more about the causes of litter is a good place to start in addressing litter prevention, said officials.