Rockland County Executive C. Scott Vanderhoef presented Awards of Excellence on Wednesday to six fifth-grade students who were selected as winners of the 22nd Annual Eleanor Burlingham Earth Day Essay Contest. The winners submitted essays entitled, “Exploring Nature in Rockland County.”
This year, 169 students from six schools submitted essays in the competition, which is sponsored by the Environmental Management Council to honor the memory of Eleanor Burlingham, a life-long activist who dedicated her life to protecting the environment.
“Congratulations to all of this year’s student winners,” said Vanderhoef. “I’m glad they realize the natural beauty that exists right here in Rockland County, and as some of the students said, right in their own backyard.”
The following students were selected as winners:
- Gianna Cinque and Jonathan Gayle of Link Elementary School, New City
- Joseph Cipolli of MacArthur Barr Middle School, Nanuet
- Betsy Palmer of Liberty Elementary School, Valley Cottage
- Ashley Mallare of St. Gregory Barbarigo School, Garnerville
- Kevin Mendoza of Sacred Heart School, Suffern
Students read their essays during the ceremony and received certificates from Vanderhoef and an environmental pin from the council.
In her essay, Gianna Cinque wrote about a hike with her Girl Scout troop. “After we were hiking for only about two minutes we saw a cave that we thought was a bear cave. In my head I thought…this is nature!”
Kevin Mendoza wrote about the different seasons. “Experiencing nature through the changing seasons is priceless! It is amazing to see the leaves change from green to red, orange to brown.”
Betsy Palmer’s essay was about the beauty in her own backyard. “My backyard is where I see most of my nature. I love to lay in the grass to look at
nature.”
“Every year my family and I participate in Keep Rockland Beautiful’s clean up event,” said Joseph Cipolli. “It makes me feel proud to work hard to improve the natural surroundings in my hometown.”
In her essay, Ashley Mallare wrote about her favorite parks in the county. “One time my family went biking at Peck’s Pond. We also went to Haverstraw Bay Park and swung on the monkey bars.”
Jonathan Gayle wrote, “When I am outside I can relax and play basketball or enjoy going on a nature walk.”
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