DEQ awarded one grand prize winner and six age group winners.  All winners and poems are listed below. Winning poems will also be featured at environmental events throughout the state.

Prizes and certificates were awarded to the winners in their classrooms on November 15, 2007. 

Congratulations to all our America Recycles Day, 2007, poetry contest winners!

 Grand Prize Winner:  Jayne Fife

Recycling

by Jayne Fife, 7th Grade

 Age-Group Winners

• Taylor Wright, Ethel Boyes Elementary, Idaho Falls, K - 2nd grade winner.
• Roxy Grace Eickhof, Wendell Elementary, Wendell, 3rd - 4th grade winner.
• Emily Jade Richardson, Centennial Elementary, Nampa, 5th - 6th grade winner.
• Amanda Wortman, Idaho Distance Education Academy, Boise, 7th - 8th grade winner.
• Kaylee Wells, Mountain View High School, Meridian, 9th - 10th grade winner.
• John Veit, Centennial High School, Boise, 11th - 12th grade winner.

 Age-Group Winning Poems

We Can Reuse Bottles

by Taylor Wright, 2nd Grade

Recycling, Recycling

by Roxy Grace Eickhof, 4th Grade

Recycling, recycling

It's a job we do,

To help our planet

And me and you.

Recycling, recycling

Is fun for me.

If you try it,

Soon fun's what you'll see.

Recycling, recycling

It might be new for you.

It might be fun

With a friend or two.

Recycling, Recycling

Now don't be shy.

I'll teach you how,

It will be as easy as pie!

Recycling, recycling

You can recycle steal

Can, paper, cardboard too.

It's a real great deal.

Recycling is Cool

by Emily Jade Richardson, 5th Grade

We separate trash into a different bin, cardboard, plastic, and tin. I take my time every day it makes a difference in more than one way. Some people don't even care, but by doing it we breath cleaner air. Animals live longer and the environment is stronger. The earth needs our love and support so take the time to recycle and sort.

Recycle

by Amanda Wortman, 8th Grade

Do you go about your busy day,

   Throwing tons of stuff away?

Have you ever thought of changing your ways,

   And saving the earth's most beautiful days?

You may be like many who misplace their gum,

   By tossing it into the pond full of scum.

Call your local recycling center,

   They'd be glad to help and be your mentor.

Recycling is important and can be fun,

   And don't forget, it starts with one.

We need to keep the landfills small,

   Not let them grow tremendously tall.

Those banana peels in the trash,

   For the garbage man to come and smash,

They can be used out in your garden,

   To soften the soil, and not let it harden.

Many people claim not to have time,

   But it really is needed and should be prime.

So try to keep the world clean,

   And pick up the litter you may have seen.

Recycling is certainly more than a choice,

   And don't be frustrated, rejoice, rejoice!

It's a job and duty, an obligation,

   To save the resources of our nation.

Keep on repeating this endless cycle,

   To reduce, reuse, and of course, recycle.

Recycling

by Kaylee Wells, 9th Grade

Recycling Poem

by John Veit, 12th Grade

How can one keep the environment good?

By recycling those used, big chunks of wood.

For wood chips are made through this useful way

And help us plant flowers on a warm summer day.

How does one get rid of unwanted plastic?

Recycling them would be fantastic.

And if you do, make note for sure

That mixing of plastics does not occur.

Glass can be used for recycling too.

Yes you the consumer knows what to do.

Simply place the glass into the bin

And you will become an environmental kin.

A can of soda, some refried bean

These common objects are not as they seem.

For when recycled one does not doubt

That money is saved. No man can pout.