By Lookout Staff

April 24, 2015 -- Student winners for the first annual Earth Day Poster Challenge were announced Thursday by Santa Monica Assemblyman Richard Bloom, with the grand prize going to a junior at T.C.A. Arshag Dickranian Armenian Art School in Los Angeles.

The winners were selected from more than 100 entries from students in Bloom’s 50th Assembly District, the Assembleymember said.

“I was very impressed with the creativity and messaging of all the submissions this year,” Bloom said. “It was very hard to pick the winners.

“All students who made submissions should be applauded. These youth will be responsible for future stewardship of the Earth, and I am heartened to see that they are so keenly aware of environmental issues.”

Named  as winner for the grand prize was Robert Ksajikian, an eleventh-grader from T.C.A. Arshag Dickranian Armenian Art School.  The prize represented best overall poster.

First place selections from the elementary, junior high, and high school levels were also made. Those winners were Rebecca Casey, an eleventh-grader from Marymount High School; Celeste Marticorena, an eighth-grader from Le Conte Middle School, and Arial Choe, a second-grader from Wilshire Private School.

The Earth Day Poster Challenge honors Earth Day 2015. Bloom said it was meant to help encourage schools and students of all ages to learn about Earth Day and to help promote this year’s Earth Day theme, “It’s Our Time to Lead.”

The contest, which was announced to all schools throughout the 50th Assembly District in January, received more than 100 entries.  The poster size was limited to 8 ½ by 11 inches and had to be submitted on recycled paper. 

Students were allowed to use any form of media such as photos, drawings, paintings or collages for their posters.  Entries were due at Bloom’s Santa Monica District office April 9th.

Founded in 1970 by former United States Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin, Earth Day is celebrated annually on April 22nd around the world. 

“The purpose of Earth Day is to increase awareness and support for environmental programs and initiatives at the local, national, and global level and to also help educate the members of the public on how to be better stewards of their environment,” according to Bloom’s statement. 

The winning posters will be displayed in Bloom’s district office.