Garrett County Solid Waste & Recycling along with Co-Host Garrett County Arts Council celebrated America Recycles Day in a big way!  On Saturday, November 9, 2013, students from Northern and Southern Garrett County High Schools competed in the 9th Annual “Rethink Recycling” Regional Sculpture Competition, held at Garrett College in the Special Events Center, McHenry, MD.
 
In the Regional Sculpture Competition, first and second place awards are given in three categories:  Creativity/Uniqueness, Craftsmanship and Best Use of Materials.  The audience in attendance is asked to vote for their favorite sculpture.  One sculpture is voted MOST POPULAR among the crowd.  And, finally the sculpture with the most total points scored by the Judges, is awarded the Best-in-Show. 
 
“This year’s winners had very exciting entries and themes.  It’s good to see the students using so many different types of recycled materials in their sculptures.  The art pieces really capture the nature of the project and the competition exemplifies the spirit of America Recycles Day and brings the community together.  I’m just glad that I don’t have to decide who takes home the prize for the best sculptures.  They are all so good,” remarked Kim Madigan, Recycling Coordinator.
 
Winning the award for 1st place in Creativity/Uniqueness was, Miss Logan Miller, Southern High School, 12th grade, for her sculpture titled “What you Sea Isn’t What You Get.” The award for 2nd place in Creativity/Uniqueness was awarded to Miss Emily Rolf, Southern High School, 11th grade, for her sculpture, “The Empty Man.”
 
For Craftsmanship, Miss Lindsey Murray a 12th grade student from Southern High School took 1st place for her sculpture titled “Give Life to Recycling.” In 2nd place, Zach Yommer, Northern High School, 10th grade, won for his sculpture titled, “Le Ski Boot.”
 
In the category of Best Use of Materials, Miss Jillian Yant, 12th grade student at Southern High School, won 1st place for her sculpture titled “Shadow Harbor.”  In 2nd place, Michael McEwen from Southern High School, 12th grade, won for his sculpture titled, “Mark 3 Motion-Sensing Auto Defense Turret (REJECT).”
 
The sculpture voted Most Popular was created by Ivy Lynn Iden, Southern High School, 12th grade and titled, “Sir Elefante.” 
 
The sculpture winning, with the highest number of points scored by all three judges, was “Dolce and Crayola, designed by Taylor Dick of Southern High School, 12th grade.
 
The following six sculptures will be taken to the State Sculpture Competition, where they will compete against other top art students in the state:  Dolce and Crayola, Sir Elefante, Shadow Harbor, Give Life to Recycling, What you Sea Isn’t What you Get and The Empty Man.  The State competition is on Friday, November 22, 2013, in Baltimore, Md., at the Maryland Department of the Environment.
 
Funding for the Regional “Rethink Recycling” Sculpture Competition and travel to the State Sculpture Competition, are made possible through an Opportunity Grant awarded by the Garrett County Arts Council and with the support of these local businesses and non-profit organizations:  Cap Glass, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Inc., Dental Health Group, End of the Line Books, Garrett 8 Cinemas, Lakeside Creamery, Lowes, Madigan’s Auto Sales, Madigan, Mike & Kim, McDonalds, Mtn. Laurel Garden Club,  Smiley’s Pizzeria & Pine Lodge Steak House, Stitch in Time, Sunrise Sanitation Services and Wisp Resort.
 
Special thanks to Garrett County Arts Council and Director Ms. Karen Reckner & Ms. Joan Lyon, Ms. Sonia Pratt and Mr. Josh Gambetta who served as judges for the Regional Competition.
 
Selected sculptures from Northern and Southern High School students will be on display at The Gallery Shop, 206 E. Alder St., Oakland, Saturday, November 23, 2013 – December 7, 2013. 
 
If you have any questions, suggestions or comments regarding any of the FREE recycling programs available in Garrett County, please contact Kimberly Madigan at 301 387 0322.