First and second place winners come from Berks, Butler, Cambria, Chester, Delaware, Greene, Jefferson, Lehigh, Lancaster Luzerne, Mercer, Montgomery, Washington, Westmoreland counties.
“Every student that takes part in the Litter Hawk program knows that litter is bad, and they are encouraging their friends, their parents, their neighbors, and their communities to be good stewards and keep Pennsylvania beautiful and litter free,” said DEP Secretary Jessica Shirley. “As we’re preparing for America’s 250th birthday we want to put our best foot forward and the entries this year emphasize loving our nation and keeping it litter free.”
This year’s Litter Hawk Youth Award theme is “Celebrate America250 – Keep It Beautiful!” in support of the nation’s 250th anniversary on July 4, 2026.
Students were asked to show how we can all keep our communities litter free for America’s 250th birthday.
Over 500 students participated in this year’s program. Promotional partners included Department of Transportation and PA Turnpike Commission.
First and second place winners in each grade level received medals, certificates, and a Litter Hawk decal.
Check out their amazing posters, essays and videos on Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s website..
First Place
-- Alexandriah, prekindergarten, Farrell Area Elementary, Mercer County
-- Calvin, kindergarten, Ringing Rocks Elementary, Montgomery County
-- Carter, grade 1, Jenny Lynn Preparatory, Luzerne County
-- Henry, grade 2, Norvelt Elementary, Westmoreland County
-- Amelia, grade 3, Hares Hill Elementary, Chester County
-- Tanesha “Gia”, grade 4, Queen of All Saints Academy, Lehigh County
-- Paula, grade 5 (essay), Norwood School, Delaware County
-- Beckett, Rylissa, Emalee, Teegan, grade 6 (video), West Greene School, Greene County
-- Life Skills (poster): Mario, Maverick, Mason, Zurella, Krispin (grade 1); Emma, Luci, Charlotte, Namirr (grade 2); Aria, Mark, Amina, Willow, Milana, Trinity (grade 3), Wyoming Area School District, Luzerne County
Second Place
-- Khloe, prekindergarten, Farrell Area Elementary, Mercer County
-- Ayonna, kindergarten, Jenny Lynn Academy, Luzerne County
-- Isabelle, grade 1, Holy Name Elementary, Cambria County
-- Amelia, grade 2, Homeschool, Washington County
-- Anwitha, grade 3, West Bradford Elementary School, Chester County
-- Faith, grade 4, Homeschool, Lancaster County
-- Alec, grade 5 (essay), Haine Middle School, Butler County
-- Elizabeth, Leighton, Mackinze, Savannah, grade 6 (video), Twin Valley Middle School, Berks County
-- Life Skills (poster): Emilia, Ethan, Eva, TJ (grade 1), Lincoln, (grade 2), Charlotte (grade 3), Jack, Kate (grade 4), Brockway Elementary, Jefferson County
“Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful sends a big thank you to all the amazing students who took part in this year’s Litter Hawk Youth Award program! We loved seeing the creativity, kindness, and great ideas shared in the hundreds of projects we received,” said Shannon Reiter, Executive Director of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. “Each entry told a special story and showed how much our students care about their communities and the environment. A special thank you goes out to the families and teachers who traveled to the State Capitol to celebrate. Your support helped make the awards ceremony a day to remember. Congratulations to all of this year’s Litter Hawks! We are so proud of you and can’t wait to see what you create next year”
Winning entries will be displayed in the East Wing Rotunda of the Pennsylvania State Capitol Building in Harrisburg through April 30.
Artwork is also showcased throughout the year at various state facilities, including PA Turnpike Service Plazas and PennDOT Welcome Centers.
See photos from the awards ceremony at Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Flickr page and winners will be featured on Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful’s Facebook page.
The Litter Hawk Youth Award program is offered annually. Pennsylvania students can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, environmental clubs, scout groups or other organized groups.
Click Here for the DEP announcement.
For more information on programs, initiatives and special events, visit the Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful website. Click Here to sign up for regular updates from KPB, Like them on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, visit their YouTube Channel.
The 2026 Pick Up Pennsylvania Initiative now undeerway! Questions should be directed to Michelle Dunn at 1-877-772-3673 Ext. 113 or send email to: mdunn@keeppabeautiful.org.
Keep PA Beautiful helps mobilize over 100,000 volunteers a year to pick up litter, clean up illegal dumping and beautify Pennsylvania.
Related Articles This Week:
-- PennDOT, Keep PA Beautiful Invite High School Students To Apply To Join Young Ambassadors Education Program [PaEN]
-- PA Resources Council: Go ‘Green’ For Earth Day And Every Day!
NewsClips:
-- Altoona Mirror: Tyrone H.S. Students Turn Out To Help Clean Up Their Community
-- PA Resources Council: Go ‘Green’ For Earth Day And Every Day!
-- Observer-Report: April 4 Glass Recycling Collection In Washington, PA
-- PennLive - John Beauge: DEP Assesses $100,000 In Penalties For Violations At 2 Of 3 Eureka Resources Closed Oil & Gas Wastewater Treatment Facilities In Lycoming, Bradford Counties
-- Williamsport Sun: Eureka Resources Fined $60,000 For Oil & Gas Wastewater Leak Into Susquehanna River
-- York Daily Record: Cleanup Crews Removed 90 Tons Of Oily Debris, 13,000 Gallons Of Oily Water From J&K Junkyard Fire
[Posted: April 3, 2026] PA Environment Digest
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