The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2017 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.

The students whose submissions were selected for the 2017 calendar were invited to a ceremony at the State Capitol on Tuesday, August 2, where they were honored by Lt. Gov. Mike Foley and NDEQ Director Jim Macy. Each month, the calendar features one of the 12 winning environmental posters. A 13th winner’s artwork provides the cover for the calendar.

The entry featured on the cover was submitted by Bryson Leffers, a third grade student from Seward Elementary, Seward.

The other 12 winners who are featured in the calendar are:

Whitlee Rudloff, a second grade student from Crawford Elementary, Crawford.

Sydney Harris, a third grade student from Loomis Public School, Loomis.

Brenda Lazaro Romero, a fifth grade student from Knickrehm Elementary, Grand Island.

Hope McDonald, a third grade student from Centura Elementary, Cairo.

Ava Buckner, a fifth grade student from Knickrehm Elementary, Grand Island.

Eden Funk, a sixth grade student from Gordon-Rushville Middle School, Rushville.

Mallory Brittenham, a third grade student from Immanuel Lutheran, Columbus.

Grant Vardaman, a fourth grade student from Rohwer Elementary, Omaha.

Nayeli Villa, a kindergarten student from Fisher’s 24 School, Schuyler.

Baylen Johnson, a sixth grade student from Kenesaw Public School, Kenesaw.

Abigail Gamage, a fifth grade student from Knickrehm Elementary, Grand Island.

Jonathan Gerdes, a ninth grade student from Lincoln East High School, Lincoln.

Over 1,500 students submitted entries into this year’s contest.

“I was impressed with the artwork we received this year,” Macy said. “The students’ posters convey important messages about protecting our environment.”

Copies of the calendar are available by contacting NDEQ at P.O. Box 98922, Lincoln, NE 68509-8922, or by sending an e-mail request to NDEQ.moreinfo@nebraska.gov.