Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful will sponsor the Litter Hawk Youth Award Program, a recognition program for students in kindergarten through grade six who complete a designated project specific to their grade level. Students can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, homeschools, Scout troops, 4-H clubs, environmental clubs or other organized groups.

The Litter Hawk Youth Award Program is a way for youngsters to share their hope, optimism, and concerns about litter and to inspire others to care for their communities through art, words, or video. In coordination of the release of the revision of Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful's popular "Children Open your Eyes to Litter" series of books for children in kindergarten through grade six, the theme is "Open Your Eyes to Litter - Show Us What You See."

Projects include a poster for children in kindergarten through grade four, an essay for children in grade five and a video for children in grade six. The deadline to participate is Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.

First- and second-place winners will be awarded prizes in each grade level. All participants will receive recognition of participation. Winners will be announced in May 2024 in coordination with a display of winning entries at the Pennsylvania State Capitol building.

The Litter Hawk Youth Award Program was created with funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. For more information, downloadable promotional posters, and an online entry form, visit http://www.keeppabeautiful.org and select Awards under Grants & Awards. For more details, contact Stephanie Larson at slarson@keeppabeautiful.org or 724-836-4121, ext. 104.