7 Western PA Students Win National Garden Club Contests, Receive Prizes, College Scholarship

On August 4, the Ingomar Garden Club in Gibsonia, Allegheny County, will honor seven students from Western PA for winning National Garden Club Essay, Art and Poetry Contests.

Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh high school sophomore Liam Ellis placed first nationally and will receive a $1,000 college scholarship for his essay, “Taking Action to Protect Pollinator Habitat.” 

Sorcha O’Sullivan, grade 4, Saint Kilian School, took first place nationally for her poster design on the assigned theme “Woodsy Owl - Lend A Hand, Care For The Land." 

The students will read their winning poetry and essay entries and will display pictures of their winning posters at the Ingomar Garden Club monthly meeting on August 4.  

Honored guests from GCFP (Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania) will be in attendance in addition to school principals, teachers, and families.

Winners

The contest winners from Western PA include--

-- Liam Ellis, Grade 10, Aquinas Academy of Pittsburgh-- $1,000 College Scholarship National First Place Winner; Regional, State, Local Winner; $100 State Award, $25 from the Ingomar Garden Club for his High School Essay: “Taking Action to Protect Pollinator Habitat”

Liam’s essay listed and then elaborated on steps everyone can take to stem the declining numbers of pollinators and the increasing ecosystem loss. 

These included choosing native, pollinator-benefiting plants for gardens; eliminating the use of chemical pesticides and herbicides; and educating all on ways to address the environmental problems the world faces.  Read related article here.

Click Here to read Liam’s essay.

-- Sorcha O’Sullivan, Grade 4, Saint Kilian School - National, Regional, State and Local First Place Winner, $50 National Award, $10 State Award, $25 Award from Ingomar Garden Club.

Sorcha’s poster entry was selected from 7,000 entries in the grade 4 category. Poster: "Woodsy Owl - Lend A Hand, Care For The Land"

-- Valarie Begis, Grade 6, Saint Kilian School - First Place Local and State Winner, $10 State Award, Poetry: "Exploring Backyard Mysteries"

-- Amelia Collins, Grade 8, Saint Kilian School - First Place Local and State Winner, $10 State Award, Poetry: "Exploring Backyard Mysteries"

-- Anna Jones, Grade 5, Saint Kilian School - First Place Local and State Winner, $10 State Award, Poster: "Woodsy Owl - Lend A Hand, Care For The Land"

-- Quinn Snyder, Grade 2, Saint Kilian School - First Place Local and State Winner, $10 State Award, Poster: "Woodsy Owl - Lend A Hand, Care For The Land"

-- Samantha Steel, Grade 3, Deer Lakes School District - First place Local and State Winner, $10 State Award, Poetry: "Exploring Backyard Mysteries"

The recognition program will be held at the St. Thomas Anglican Church in the Fields, 4106 St. Thomas Drive, Gibsonia, PA starting at 11:30 a.m.

Questions should be directed to Chris Hawthorne, Conservation/Youth Chairperson Ingomar Garden Club District IX, State Youth Chairperson, Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania, National Garden Club Inc., 724-494–2596.

(Photos: Liam Ellis, information sign Liam made at the pollinator garden he installed at his school.)

[Posted: August 3, 2021]  PA Environment Digest