Local Students Recognized in Statewide Writing Contest

HIGHLAND - Several students from St. Paul Catholic School in Highland were recognized by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for their writing.

Suzanne Horan, a middle school English teacher at the school, worked with her fifth and sixth grade students to submit work to the Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest through the Illinois EPA. Students were encouraged to write about the theme “Together for Healthier Air!” and share poems and prose about how they can reduce air pollution and take care of the environment.

“I think if there would be anything that I would say about the school and what we’re preparing our kiddos for, and one thing that we really strive for as a part of our goals here, is to prepare our kids for being active citizens in their community and in their church and just going out and being a part of the world that they live in,” Horan said.

Principal Stephanie Kuhn asked Horan to incorporate the poetry and prose contest in her class. Horan noted that the school often participates in external contests or activities like this, including the local VFW’s essay contest.

She was eager to provide her students with an additional opportunity through the Illinois EPA “to get the kids more involved in the things that are going on around them and in our community.”

The contest was a great chance to work across the curriculum, as students researched air pollution and learned more about how they can help the environment. These science-based facts encouraged the students to practice their research skills.

Students wrote about asking their parents to carpool, riding their bikes instead of riding in the car, and turning off lights that aren’t in use. In their classroom conversations, they also shared tips with one another about recycling and energy conservation.

At St. Paul Catholic School, six students were honored for their work. Leah N. received an honorable mention. Ava A., Harper D., Rylie F., Hannah L. and Ruby W. all received special recognitions.

This is a big deal for the students, but also for Horan, who is pleased to see them receive attention for their hard work. It’s especially exciting to know they were competing with fifth and sixth graders across the state. St. Paul Catholic School had an impressive showing.

“We knew that our kids produced good writing, and we knew that our kids were putting in the things that they were learning in the classroom,” Horan said. “We were very excited to see just how many of our students were being recognized across the entire state.”

Horan and the rest of the St. Paul Catholic School community are proud of their students. She added that they will likely participate in the contest again next year.

For a list of the top winners of the Illinois EPA Annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest, click here.

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