Youth Education
Earth Day Festival New Mexico Poetry & Art Contest Winners
1st Place
Tatum Scarberry
April Brannon
Marley Launer
Mikki Fiedler
Oliver Schichtel
Gabriel Ballantine
Miri Kuenzler
Luna Torrez
2nd Place
Leslie Wegrzynek
Cedar McCall
Fiona Andrews
Julia Manning
Madeleine Poffenberger
Third Place
Iyla Hernden
Lana McCabe
Anna Ballantine
Mela Myers
Coraline Leon Alcocer
Environmental Education that Inspires Change
The Earth Day Festival NM 2024 youth education program will engage kids and teens in environmental issues. We will focus on building skills with practical tips about making environmentally sustainable and socially responsible choices. Our programs will motivate youth to take action in our community to promote sustainability and combat climate change.
Participants will leave our programs ready and excited to share with parents, friends, and others about important environmental topics and concrete ways to protect our planet’s resources. By providing new and stimulating opportunities for kids and teens to learn about science, current events, and the environment. We hope to inspire youth to become the leaders, scientists, activists, and environmentalists who will solve the complex issues facing our planet.
Artists & Poets Earth Day Contest
The Earth Day Festival will host the 2nd year poetry and artwork contest. The contest was designed to raise awareness of New Mexico’s and global responses to the environmental challenges that everyone faces, such as climate change and loss of biodiversity. Cash prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place entries for elementary school, middle school, and high school.
The health and well-being of our planet is crucial to that mission being realized. The purpose of this inaugural earth day event is to bring the community together to protect the earth.
The theme for 2024 is the Hebrew phrase “L’dor V’dor”, the imperative that we pass down our Earth from generation to generation.” Entries are due on April 3, 2024 and can be submitted online using this form or dropped off during regular business hours at the Jewish Community Center – 5520 Wyoming Blvd, NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109, Attn: Earth Day Festival.
Participants are invited to express their thoughts, knowledge, concerns, feelings, or answers in either an original poem or a piece of original artwork. There are no limits to the style of poetry or artwork submitted.
All artwork must be either drawn or painted. Any flat surface medium is acceptable (e.g., paper, poster board, canvas, wood). Art may use pencil, ink, crayon, paint, mixed media, collage, etc.). The maximum size of an art piece is 24 inches by 36 inches. If submitted online, artwork should be submitted as photographs.
Prizes in each age group and category:
1st prize $200
2nd prize $100
3rd prize $75
Certificates of Honorable Mention will be awarded to runners-up.
Submissions may be from individuals, small groups, or teachers/classes. Monetary prizes for group work will be split equally among all the members of a winning group of artists or poets.
Winners will be announced on Saturday, April 20, 2024 at the Sid Cutter Pavilion at Balloon Fiesta Park. This event will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Winning submissions will be displayed that evening at the Earth Day Festival on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
We invite everyone to participate, unleash your creativity and let’s take action to protect the earth.
Youth activity area sponsor | $2,000
Our Youth Activity Area hosts a wide variety of hands-on activities for children that educate, entertain, and inspire. You’ll also find art projects using found and recycled materials, recycling games, animals, face painting, storytelling, outdoor education, and a host of hands-on activities for children of all ages.
Sponsorship of this area is $2,000. Sponsors will be acknowledged on special signage in the area. If desired, sponsors may choose to have their exhibit space in this area.