The Oro Loma Earth Day 2004 Poster Contest is set to kick off January 20, 2004. This will be the tenth year in a row that Oro Loma and Waste Management have teamed up to sponsor the contest. Over the years, students have been awarded cash prizes for exploring such themes as: recycling in Oro Loma, environmental awareness, keeping the recycling loop going, recycling into the 21st century, having fun while recycling, the history of recycling, and buying products made with recycled material. Oro Loma is proud of the support the matching cash prizes provide District schools, especially in this era of education cutbacks. The real value of the contest, however, lies in what the students learn while researching the contests' themes and what messages they bring back to their families and the community.

Last year, District students submitted nearly 3,000 posters on the theme, "Don't Break the Chain - Be a Link! Buy Recycled." This year, Oro Loma is asking students to do something a little different. Students must still create a poster, but first they must finish the phrase, "When I recycle, I…" to create their own slogan. Then, they must design a poster based on their slogan. What happens when you recycle? How do you help the environment and your community? What resources do you save? What kind of example do you set? Do you have fun? These are the kinds of questions we hope students will investigate.

The contest is free and open to all students, grades K-12, attending a school in the Oro Loma Sanitary District. Cash prizes of $500 for first place, $300 for second place, $200 for third place, and two prizes of $100 for honorable mention will be awarded. Matching cash prizes will also be awarded to the winning students' schools. In addition, a Certificate of Merit will be given to the 15 finalists in each grade category who do not win a cash prize. Displays of winning and finalist entries may be shown in District libraries, businesses, and official buildings. A selection of winning posters may be featured in the Oro Loma 2004-2005 calendar.

Starting January 20, 2004, free poster paper with an entry form printed on the back may be picked up by students at their schools, at Waste Management's Oakland office (172 98th Avenue) or its Hayward office (22770 Main Street), and at the Oro Loma Sanitary District Office (2600 Grant Avenue, San Lorenzo). Students may also use the entry form that is printed in the Oro Loma 2003-2004 calendar or one that is downloaded from the District's Web site, as long as the form is firmly attached to poster paper that is exactly 11x17-inches. The contest ends March 15, 2004.

For more information,click here, or call the contest hotline at (510) 613-2855.