HARRISBURG, Pa. — The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful honored students from across the state for their efforts to raise awareness about litter and environmental protection through the annual Litter Hawk Youth Award Program.
The 2026 theme, “Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful!,” was created in recognition of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026. Students were asked to show, through posters, essays and videos, how communities can remain litter-free as the country prepares for the milestone celebration.
More than 500 students from throughout Pennsylvania submitted entries this year. The program was supported by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation and the PA Turnpike Commission.
Jessica Shirley, secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection, said the contest helps students understand the harm litter causes while encouraging them to become advocates for cleaner communities.
“Every student that takes part in the Litter Hawk program knows that litter is bad, and they are encouraging their friends, their parents, their neighbors, and their communities to be good stewards and keep Pennsylvania beautiful and litter free,” Shirley said.
Among the first-place winners were Alexandriah, a prekindergarten student at Farrell Area Elementary in Mercer County; Calvin, a kindergarten student at Ringing Rocks Elementary in Montgomery County; Carter, a first-grade student at Jenny Lynn Preparatory in Luzerne County; and Henry, a second-grade student at Norvelt Elementary in Westmoreland County.
Other first-place winners included Amelia, a third-grade student at Hares Hill Elementary in Chester County; Tanesha “Gia,” a fourth-grade student at Queen of All Saints Academy in Lehigh County; Paula, a fifth-grade student at Norwood School in Delaware County, who won in the essay category; and a team of sixth-grade students from West Greene School in Greene County, who received first place for their video project.
The contest also included a Life Skills category for special education students. First-place honors in that category went to students from the Wyoming Area School District in Luzerne County.
Second-place winners came from Mercer, Luzerne, Cambria, Washington, Chester, Lancaster, Butler and Berks counties, along with students from Brockway Elementary in Jefferson County in the Life Skills category.
Shannon Reiter, executive director of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful, thanked the students, families and teachers who participated and attended the awards ceremony in Harrisburg.
“Each entry told a special story and showed how much our students care about their communities and the environment,” Reiter said.
Winning entries will remain on display through April 30 in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. The artwork will later be exhibited at other state facilities, including Pennsylvania Turnpike service plazas and PennDOT Welcome Centers.
The Litter Hawk Youth Award Program is held annually and is open to Pennsylvania students participating individually or through schools, environmental clubs, scout groups and other organizations.