Students from Texas are vying for scholarships of up to $2,500 through an innovative environmental video contest organized by Take Care of Texas. The competition invites middle and high school students to create engaging short videos that highlight ways to protect the environment. A selection of twelve finalists has been made, and public voting for the best entries is now open.
Voting will continue until Sunday, January 25, at 11:59 p.m. The initiative encourages students to develop a captivating 30-second video that showcases their commitment to environmental stewardship. Each submission must either incorporate the slogan, “Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got,” or include the Take Care of Texas logo, all while maintaining a positive and persuasive tone.
The contest features prizes sponsored by Waste Management of Texas, Inc. High school participants can win scholarships totaling up to $2,500, while middle school contestants have the chance to receive gift cards worth up to $800 for camera equipment.
Individuals interested in supporting their favorite videos can participate in the voting process by visiting the designated voting page. Each voter may cast one vote for their preferred video in both the high school and middle school categories. The three entries that receive the most votes in each category will advance to a final round, where they will be awarded first, second, and third place based on their performance.
Finalists
High school finalists include:
- Natalie Cardenas from Young Women’s Steam Academy in El Paso
- Baylee Osborne from Lovelady High School in Lovelady
- Karen Telenko from the School for the Talented and Gifted at Townview Magnet Center in Dallas
- Yein Lee from Paschal High School in Fort Worth
- Meera Radhakrishnan from Cypress Ranch High School in Cypress
- Clara “Reagan” Norman from Samuel Clemens High School in Schertz
Middle school finalists include:
- Marlowe Barnes from Talkington School for Young Women Leaders in Lubbock
- Indiana Hopkins, a homeschool student from Kemp
- Madison Holcombe from Spring Forest Middle School in Houston
- Wade Clark from Bradley Middle School in San Antonio
- Jaya Modi from Spring Forest Middle School in Houston
- Annalee Wirth from Stevenson Middle School in San Antonio
Take Care of Texas is a statewide initiative established by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) in 2007. The program aims to educate the public on their role in environmental protection within their homes, workplaces, and communities.
