First Annual Eco-Hero Award Contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 16, 2012

For more information, please contact:
Carrie Albright, City of Bloomington Environmental Commission Chair, carrieaalbright@yahoo.com

First Annual Eco-Hero Award Contest

BLOOMINGTON, IN - This Earth Day is extra special in Bloomington because the City of Bloomington's Environmental Commission (EC) will be highlighting the great things our youth do for the environment, including organizing an ecology club, greening the prom, making their own clothes from second-hand clothing, using water saving showerheads, growing watermelons, building animal shelters, picking up litter, recycling and much more.

To spread the word and honor these actions, the EC has conducted the first ever Annual Eco-Hero Award Contest. The goal of this competition is not only to encourage youth to build positive lifelong behaviors, but also to remind adults of the importance of thinking long-term for the environment and future generations. Participants include students from grades kindergarten through twelve who have submitted essays and art with the theme, "What I Do for the Environment." Submissions ranged from paintings and songs to sculptures and essays. The Environmental Commission members are excited about the number of submissions they received for this inaugural year.

"The Environmental Commission is thrilled to have more than 100 submissions for the first annual Eco Hero Award Contest," said event coordinator Phaedra Pezzullo. "It's clear that youth in Bloomington care about the environment and are doing many inspiring things every day to make our city and planet a better place to live."

The awards ceremony will be held April 18, 2012, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Atrium. Winners will receive a certificate of recognition from Mayor Mark Kruzan, and EC Chair Carrie Albright will be handing out prizes from locally owned businesses that support the environment. All are welcome to attend. The art and winning essays are on display in the Atrium of City Hall, 401 N. Morton St., the month of April for all to enjoy.

"We are inspired by the enthusiasm of Bloomington students and are excited to reward that positive energy with donations provided by local businesses," said Albright. "Part of this competition is to show students that they are supported by their community members."

Sponsors for the event include: the City of Bloomington Environmental Commission, City of Bloomington's Office of the Mayor and Planning Department, Bikesmiths, Bloomingfoods, Chocolate Moose, Cynthia Moriarty Catering, Eco Logic, Game Preserve, Global Gifts, Hoosier Heights, IU Auditorium, Kid Kazooey, Laughing Planet, Mother Bears Pizza, Plato's Closet, Scholar's Inn Bakehouse, Soma Coffeehouse and Juicebar, Taylor's Par 3, TIS Bookstore, Twisted Limb Paperwork, Upland Brewery, WonderLab and World Wide Auto.

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