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Struthers students will make TV ad
By jeanne starmack
STRUTHERS
The winners are — everyone.
In Struthers Elementary School’s fourth-grade poster contest, all pupils who participated got the word out about stormwater-drain pollution. They’ll all get to be in a television commercial which the city will pay to have produced with a portion of stormwater utility money that’s reserved for public education.
The commercial begins in May, and it will raise awareness about the need to keep storm drains free of pesticides, other chemicals and grass clippings.
Three top winners will be featured in the commercial, backed up by their classmates in group shots that were taken at an assembly Wednesday morning to announce those winners.
Keith Burnside won the top prize of $100. His poster also will appear on a billboard that will go up this spring on Youngstown- Poland Road.
It took him only one night to draw his winning entry, with the slogan: “Keep our storm drains and creeks free, by cleaning up everything we can see.”
Ciara Davis won second place with the slogan: “Everyone can help be the solution to stormwater pollution.”
“I can’t stop smiling,” she said, and she’s taking home $50.
Maci Musolino’s third-place winner: “Pollution, pollution, here’s a solution: stash the trash,” also netted her a prize of $50.
City, school-board and county officials were on hand to congratulate the pupils for a good job in the contest.
There were 50 entries out of 132 pupils, said principal Maggie Kowach.
“You’re doing such great things and getting involved,” said Mahoning County Commissioner Anthony Traficanti. “The older you get, you’ll see how important environmental issues are.”
“Stand up and give yourselves a round of applause for helping,” said Mayor Terry Stocker.
“This may be the only fourth-grade classes in the area to do something like this, and we’re proud of you,” he said.