Environmental competition deadline is Feb. 25

COLUMIBA – Entries for the essay, photo and poster divisions of Champions of the Environment’s annual Environmental Awareness Competition for middle school students are due February 25, the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control said Tuesday.

“Taking Care of the Land, Water and Air” is the theme for this year’s competition. Sixth, seventh and eighth grade students are invited to enter any of the five divisions of competition essay, poster, photo, spokesperson and quiz bowl.

Pre-registration is required for all divisions. The winners will be announced March 12 at the S.C. State Museum, where the quiz bowl and spokesperson competitions will be held.

Savings bonds go to a winner and four finalists in each division. Winners receive a $300 bond. Finalists are awarded a $100 bond each.

Information about the Environmental Awareness Competition, including division guidelines, can be found on the Champions‚ Web site, www.scdhec.gov/champions http://www.scdhec. gov/champions, or can be obtained by calling the Champions‚ coordinator at (803) 898-4394.

Champions of the Environment is a program that recognizes and awards students and teams who are protecting the environment. The program is sponsored by the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, INVISTA Inc., International Paper and WIS-TV.