Credit: Wissahickon School District.
Today, April 22, is the national recognition of Earth Day. For Whitpain Township, however, the festivities started a bit early.
On April 10, Whitpain Township held its 30th Annual Earth Day celebration, where it showcased grade-school students’ environmental artwork and poetry entries. In total, 108 students from Wissahickon Elementary Schools, St. Helena School, and Holy Rosary School were awarded for their outstanding work.
“The event highlighted the creativity and hard work of students who submitted art and poetry focusing on the environment,” said Whitpain Township Supervisor Joyce Keller.
“Our schools love participating in this event each year,” said Wissahickon Communications Coordinator Kristen Rawlings.
The first place winners, listed by name, school, and grade, are as follow:
- Amy Cai, Blue Bell Elementary, K
- Anvya Balachandar, Blue Bell Elementary, 1
- Grace Quenzer, Blue Bell Elementary, 2
- Genevieve Daulerio, Blue Bell Elementary, 3
- Norah McGregor, Blue Bell Elementary, 4
- Grace Murphy, Blue Bell Elementary, 5
- Lyle Frye, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, K
- Vin Mathew, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 1
- Karanvir Singh, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 2
- Desi Garrelts, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 3
- Nolan Krueger, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 4
- Ava Battestelli, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 5
- Avery Lee, Shady Grove Elementary, K
- Anna Nagele, Shady Grove Elementary, 1
- Autumn Davis, Shady Grove Elementa, 2
- Rachel Hwang, Shady Grove Elementary, 3
- Liliana Gretchen, Shady Grove Elementary, 4
- Claire Qing, Shady Grove Elementary, 5
- Molly Halpin, Stony Creek Elementary, K
- Mia Hanes, Stony Creek Elementary, 1
- Olivia Lee, Stony Creek Elementary, 2
- Hannah Kashub, Stony Creek Elementary, 3
- Meheir Sheth, Stony Creek Elementary, 4
- Margaret Jeitner, Stony Creek Elementary, 5
“This year was the 30th Annual Earth Day Celebration,” said Lexi McKinney, Whitpain Township Program Director. “The celebration recognizes students’ environmentally focused art and poetry entries.”
Second Place Winners
- Jamie Kim, Blue Bell Elementary, K
- Chelsea Harrigan, Blue Bell Elementary, 1
- Aiden Peng, Blue Bell Elementary, 2
- Greg Voutsinas, Blue Bell Elementary, 3
- Maddie Leitzel, Blue Bell Elementary, 4
- Grace Gabriel, Blue Bell Elementary, 5
- Jack High, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, K
- Valentina Evearts, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 1
- Priscilla Chan, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 2
- Olivia McAluney, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 3
- Leah Richard, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 4
- Kiera Cloud, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 5
- Ben Rosenak, Shady Grove Elementary, K
- Bradley Durmala, Shady Grove Elementary, 1
- Wynne Devitt, Shady Grove Elementary, 2
- Molly Weintraub, Shady Grove Elementary, 3
- Molly Martin, Shady Grove Elementary, 4
- Liliana Radcliff, Shady Grove Elementary, 5
- Kayleigh Shackelford, Stony Creek Elementary, K
- Jordana Seltzer, Stony Creek Elementary, 1
- Amelia Kelly, Stony Creek Elementary, 2
- Kerry Grispino, Stony Creek Elementary, 3
- Violeta Josefsberg, Stony Creek Elementary, 4
- Philippe Nguyen, Stony Creek Elementary, 5
Third Place Winners
- Bulut Yildiz, Blue Bell Elementary, K
- Bernie Alcott, Blue Bell Elementary, 1
- Zia Chapgar-Terlaak, Blue Bell Elementary, 2
- Tenley Stenson, Blue Bell Elementary, 3
- Catherine Fells, Blue Bell Elementary, 4
- Alma Partridge, Blue Bell Elementary, 5
- Liam Hoffman, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, K
- Kai Greigo, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 1
- Violet O'Malley, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 2
- Nora Chamrin, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 3
- Jaden Oh, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 4
- Gia Rowe, Lower Gwynedd Elementary, 5
- Nico Roblejo, Shady Grove Elementary, K
- Isabella Sracic, Shady Grove Elementary, 1
- Kira Duchynski, Shady Grove Elementary, 2
- Chloe Moura, Shady Grove Elementary, 3
- Clementine Rakaczewski, Shady Grove Elementary, 4
- Nuria Cass, Shady Grove Elementary, 5
- Julianna Bongartz, Stony Creek Elementary, K
- Malia Portillo, Stony Creek Elementary, 1
- Hannah Griffin, Stony Creek Elementary, 2
- Addison Capaldo, Stony Creek Elementary, 3
- Lanah Hoerdemann, Stony Creek Elementary, 4
- Avery Bellas, Stony Creek Elementary, 5
Tree City USA Community
At the celebration, the Whitpain Township was recognized again as a Tree City USA community. It has received this award every year since 1994.
A Tree City USA community is a town or city that has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation for its commitment to urban forestry and tree care. This designation shows that a community values its trees and takes active steps to manage and expand its urban forest.
To qualify as a Tree City USA, a community must meet four core standards:
- Maintain a Tree Board or Department: There must be a group or department legally responsible for the care of trees within the community.
- Have a Community Tree Ordinance: This is a law or policy that gives guidance on tree planting, maintenance, and removal, especially for public spaces.
- Spend at Least $2 Per Capita on Urban Forestry: The community must allocate a minimum of $2 per person annually toward tree care and related programs.
- Celebrate Arbor Day: The community must hold an official Arbor Day observance and proclamation to promote tree planting and care.
