BALTIMORE (April 18, 2008) – The Newton Marasco Foundation (NMF), in partnership with the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and Maryland State Department of Education, today awarded nine Green Focus Awards for outstanding environmental photographs to nine Maryland high school students. This year’s theme was “Seasons in Nature.”
The Grand Prize winner, Apple No More by Chelsea Kelly, South River High School, Edgewater depicts an apple orchard in Oldtown, Maryland in the middle of winter.
Category winners include:
Water
Jesse Schreck, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Honorable Mention: Nicole Pagonis, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Black And White
Eliza Rownaghi, Damascus High School, Damascus
Honorable Mention: Caitlin Gormley, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Forest and Mountains
Annemarie Turner, South River High School, Edgewater
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Williams, Damascus High School, Damascus
Fields and Countryside
Valentina Andaya, Albert Einstein High School, Kensington
Honorable Mention: Christina Quirk, Sherwood High School, Sandy Spring
NMF, in partnership with MDE and Maryland State Department of Education, established the annual Green Focus – Earth Day still photography contest for Maryland high school students. The purpose of the award is to use the art of photography to raise community awareness and foster the environmental education of our nation’s youth.
“NMF has been amazed by the creativity, talent, and enthusiasm of the high school students in the State of Maryland,” said Amy Marasco Newton, president of the Newton Marasco Foundation. “It’s heartening to the foundation that this next generation has so beautifully expressed its commitment to stewardship of our environment.”
“By participating in a worthwhile endeavor as this, we foster youths’ creativity and spirit while encouraging an environmental ethic to all,” said MDE Secretary Wilson. “We hope the continuing impact of this contest will be to inspire environmental stewardship.”
The Grand Prize winner received a monetary prize of $300, and $200 was awarded to the winner’s high school. Each category winner received $125.
Review of the submitted photos and selection of the winners was conducted by a diverse panel including professional photographers, environmental professionals, and education professionals. This year’s panel included noted photographer and Director of MDE’s Science Services Administration Rich Eskin.
To view the winning photographs go directly to www.newtonmarascofoundation.org/programs/a_gf_pw.cfm. For more information about the Newton Marasco Foundation, the Green Focus Award and the 2008 winners, a list of past winners and award criteria, go to: www.newtonmarascofoundation.org.
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