January 11, 2006

Beautify Southern Illinois names contest winners

by Karen Hine

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Students from Tamaroa, Mount Vernon and Fairfield were the top winners in a region-wide logo, slogan and essay contest sponsored by the Beautify Southern Illinois Campaign.

The winner of each category received a gift certificate.

Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Center for Environmental Health and Safety is assisting in the regional campaign, founded by SIU President Glenn Poshard.

Serving others is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it observes its 150th anniversary in 2019.

All participants received a certificate of participation on recycled paper signed by Poshard.

Winners, by contest category, are:

Logo

• First place – Caleb Michael Gaines, a kindergarten student at Tamaroa District 204 Elementary School and the son of Michael and Sherry Gaines, for his train-themed picture "All aboard to Beautify Southern Illinois."

• Second place – Rachel Parish, 12th grader at Galatia High School and daughter of Samantha and Todd Parish, for a depiction of Southern Illinois as a beauty pageant winner against dirtier states.

• Third place – Jonathan Stowers, fifth grader at J.L. Buford intermediate school in Mount Vernon and son of Jim and Robin Stowers, for a landscape design within the silhouette of Southern Illinois with the statement, "It is our duty to keep your beauty."

Slogan

• First place – Divya Merchant, fourth grader at J.L. Buford intermediate school in Mount Vernon and daughter of Kinny and Manoj Merchant, for "Get up get out and help your community!"

• Second place – Kayla Burk, fifth grader at J.L. Buford intermediate school in Mount Vernon and daughter of Tony and Danya Burk, for "Little Space, Big Things."

• Third place – Kimberly Ingoldsby, 12th grader from Christopher and Project ECHO and daughter of Robert Ingoldsby, for "Only Quackers Pollute. Don't be an ugly duckling. Clean up Southern Illinois."

Essay

• First place – Amber Fouts, ninth grader from Fairfield Community High School and daughter of Rick and Teresa Fouts.

• Second place – Katie Aaron, fourth grader at J.L. Buford intermediate school and daughter of Susan and Chris Aaron.

• Third place – Kayla Conley, 12th grader at Goreville High School and daughter of Rhonda Baker.