Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful announced 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. Children can participate individually or as part of a lesson initiated by schools, homeschool groups, Scout troops, 4-H clubs, environmental clubs, or other organized groups.

The Litter Hawk Youth Award Program is a way for children to share their hope, optimism and concerns about litter and to inspire others to care for their communities. Through art, words, or video, children must address the theme "How Do You Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful?" For students in kindergarten through grade four, the project is a poster. Students in grades five and six are asked to submit an essay or video.

The first- and second-place winners in each grade level will receive gift cards. All participants will be recognized with certificates. The deadline to participate is Monday, Jan. 31. Winners will be announced in April in time for Earth Day celebrations.

For more information and an online entry form, visit http://www.keeppabeautiful.org/grants-awards/awards/litter-hawk/. To learn more, contact Kylie McCutcheon at kmccutcheon@keeppabeautiful.org or 877-772-3673, ext. 114. The Litter Hawk Youth Award program was created with funding provided by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.