News & Events

Getting 'trashy' in Belmont Co.
By ERIC AYRES, Staff Writer
(originally appeared in the Times Leader)

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ONE MAN'S trash is another man's treasure.

On Wednesday, awards were presented to winners of this year's Trashy Art Contest, conducted through Belmont County Recycling and Litter Prevention.

Each year, students from the local schools participate in the contest, which is designed to encourage recycling and curb waste. To create their own unique artworks for the project, participants utilize an assortment of everyday household items that would typically be thrown away after initial use.

Over the past few weeks, many of the submissions have been on display in the lobby of the Belmont County Courthouse. A panel of judges recently selected winners for this year's contest, and awards were presented during Wednesday's meeting of the Belmont County Commissioners.

"This is my favorite part of the job," said Samantha Carroll, director of Belmont County Recycling and Litter Prevention. "Once again, we had so many great entries. I'm glad I didn't have to judge them."

Carroll said this year, five Belmont County schools participated in the Trashy Art Contest. Trophies, plaques promotional packets and other prizes were presented to the winners. Participants also received t-shirts with "transfers" commemorating the event and bookmarks made from recycled paper.

Top winners received $50 savings bonds, in addition to trophies and prize packages.

The contest was made possible through contributions from the Jefferson-Belmont Regional Solid Waste Authority and the Belmont County Commissioners.

"They were all awesome," Commissioner Mark Thomas said of this year's submissions. "Congratulations to all the winners and all the students who participated. They're all winners on our eyes."

During the awards ceremony at the commissioner's meeting, the chambers was filled to capacity with the winning students, as well as many other participants from Ann Rattine's multi-age class at St. Clairsville Elementary School, proud parents and representatives of the participating schools.

"This year was an unprecidented year," said Carroll. "We've never had a first-place tie in the history of the contest until now."

Winners of the 2006 Trashy Art Contest in Belmont County were:

• First place (tie), Alex Madzia and Jannah Bell, both of St. Clairsville Elementary.
• Second place, Devin Diosi, St. Clairsville Elementary.
• Third place, Brianna Funkhouser, Union Local Elementary.
• Honorable mentions: Sarah Dierkes and Sydney Crippen (joint project), both of Jefferson Elementary; Chase Wiethe, and Bradley Orzolek, both of St. Clairsville Elementary.
• Courthouse Favorite, Christian Witchey, St. Clairsville Elementary.
• Director's Choice, Dustin Schau, North Elementary.

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