In January, we told you about the poster competition sponsored by the Department of the Environment. High school students were encouraged to design posters about Belizean wetlands, while primary schools were encouraged to come up with an environmental project. Thirty-three students sent in their applications while only nine primary schools submitted project designs.

The winners were honoured today at the Leo Bradley Library in Belize City and though the acting Prime Minister Gaspar Vega presided, no independent media was invited – a strategy that protects the politicians, but punishes the young people who excelled. So, instead of interviews with them, we have footage of the winners from the Government Press Office.
The winners of the high school poster competition are Ronesto Pineda from Eden Seventh Day Adventist in first place; second place went to Phaedra Mohammed Ali from Wesley College; and third to Jair Pasos form Corozal Community College.

For the primary school project competition, St. Matthews Government School won for its landscaping, composting and recycling project, Sartaneja Nazarene for waste management and St. Andrew’s Anglican for landscaping.