The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2018 “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 2018 calendar were invited to a ceremony at the State Capitol on Friday, August 4, 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 Jessica Gooder, a sixth grade student from Kenesaw Public School, Kenesaw.

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

Hannah Santos, a seventh grade student from Boone Central Middle School, Petersburg.
Camila Lopez, a kindergarten student from Fisher’s 24 School, Schuyler.
Sophie Conrad, a fifth grade student from Pine Creek Elementary, Bennington.
Sophia Dvorak, a sixth grade student from St. Wenceslaus School, Dodge.
Sydney Walz, a fifth grade student from Kahoa Elementary, Lincoln.
Bryson Leffers, a fourth grade student from Seward Elementary, Seward.
Malya Bussinger, a fifth grade student from St. Joseph School, Atkinson.
Emily Bonoan, a third grade student from George Norris Elementary, Omaha.
Raylenn Regnier, a fourth grade student from Dundee Elementary, Omaha.
Caitlyn Guerra, an eighth grade student from North American Martyrs, Lincoln.
Ben Rocheford, a first grade student from Fisher’s 24 School, Schuyler.
Macey Novak, a ninth grade student from Fillmore Central, Geneva.

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.

Below are photos of the individual contest winners, taken at the Aug. 2 ceremony. In each photo, Lt. Governor Mike Foley is at left, and NDEQ Director Jim Macy is at right. The last photo is a shot of the entire group.