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Governor Announces 2003 Coal Calendar Contest Winners
SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today honored the 25 school children whose essays and artwork were chosen to be included in the Illinois Coal Calendar for the year 2003.
"Coal is a rich and vital natural resource in Illinois. With the development of clean coal technologies and my administration's support of the industry, Illinois is in a strong position to benefit from the resurgence in the use of coal to help supply our energy needs," said Governor Ryan. "This competition helps to promote the importance of the coal industry, while teaching students about the contributions Illinois coal has made to our economy and quality of life."
This is the 14th straight year that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) has sponsored the contest. Illinois students from the fifth through eighth grades entered the competition by submitting artwork and essays demonstrating coal's significance in Illinois and its relationship to energy and the environment. More than 4,000 students were received for this year's contest.
The 25 winners were recognized this afternoon at an awards ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Springfield. Each of the winners received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.
"The Coal Calendar is one way of marketing our coal industry and initiatives," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "With the level of support Governor Ryan has given to coal and energy development, it's imperative that this message be spread to the business community and the public."
In addition to the individual student winners, a special award was given to Minooka Junior High for submitting the most entries (397). Three other schools were recognized for achieving full participation among all of their students: Immaculate Conception in Morris, East Side Intermediate School in Harrisburg, and Immanuel Lutheran School in Okawville.
Copies of the 2003 Coal Calendar will be available this fall. To order a calendar, write to Barb Antonini in DCCA's Office of Coal Development, 620 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701, or call 217/782-5370 (TDD 800/785-6055).
Attached is a list of this year's winners.
- Jessica Anderson
Immaculate Conception School
Minooka
Essay - Amanda Atkins
Mt. Caramel Middle School
Mt. Caramel
Essay - Roarke Burnett
Hamilton Elementary School
Hamilton
Essay - Nicholas Cerentano
Staunton Jr. H.S.
Staunton
Essay - Danielle Drummond
Channahon Middle School
Minooka
Poster - Vanessa Ferguson
Porta Jr. H.S.
Petersburg
Poster - Eric Gibson
Gardner Grade School
Gardner
Poster - Angela Jin
Garden Hills Elementary School
Champaign
Essay - Adam Johnston
Ewing Northern Grade School
Benton
Poster - Kaitlyn Kaegy
West Elementary School
Carlinville
Poster - Jeff Lee
Casey-Westfield School
Casey
Essay - Alicia McKendry
Minooka Jr. H.S.
Minooka
Poster - Austin Modglin
Carterville Intermediate School
Carterville
Poster - Mike Muscarello
Lincoln Jr. High
Mt. Prospect
Poster - Lora Ossola
Putnam County Elementary School
Granville
Poster - Mackenzie Ourth
LaHarpe Jr. H.S.
Carthage
Essay - Matthew Plese
Reed-Custer Middle School
Braidwood
Essay - Johnny Powers
Cumberland Jr. H.S.
Greenup
Essay - Lauren Smego
Shabbona Middle School
Morris
Essay - Kevin Smith
Metropolis Jr. H.S.
Metropolis
Poster - Alexa Snyder
Auburn Middle School
Auburn
Poster - Melissa Starkweather
Lincoln Jr. H.S.
Naperville
Poster - Carl Trank
Winnebago Middle School
Winnebago
Essay - Matt Webster
Coal City Middle School
Morris
Poster - Lauren Weigt
Rotola Middle School
Aurora
Essay
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