BALTIMORE (April 20, 2007) – 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 seven Maryland high school students.
The Grand Prize winner, Silent Reflection, by Tim Powers of Towson High School in Baltimore, depicts a rowboat on a lake with reflections of clouds and the shoreline.
Category Winners Include
Child in Nature – Christina Ball, Rockville High School, Rockville
Honorable Mention: Rachel Michael, Frederick High School, Frederick
Coasts – Melissa Lawson, James Hubert Blake High School, Silver Spring
Honorable Mention: Daniel Herman, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Black & White – Alex Silver, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Honorable Mention: Alex Silver, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Forests and Fields – Lydia Richards, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
Honorable Mention: Alex Silver, Winston Churchill High School, Potomac
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. This year’s theme “Senses of Wonder” was chosen to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of Rachel Carson’s birth.
“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.”
Green Focus – Earth Day 2007
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. All winners and honorable mentions also received special citations from Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley.
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 Dirctor of MDE’s Science Services Administration Rich Eskin.
For more information about the Newton Marasco Foundation, the Green Focus Award and the 2007 winners, a list of past winners and award criteria, go to:www.newtonmarascofoundation.org.
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