Grand prize winner Ira B. Jones Elementary School receives $5,000 for Jerry The Giraffe creation
Today, Evergreen Packaging, a leader in beverage paperboard carton manufacturing, announced the winners of its fifth Made By Milk Carton Construction Contest. Ira B. Jones Elementary School from Asheville, North Carolina, won the grand prize of $5,000 for their carton replica of Jerry the Giraffe, made out of 1,500 cartons. The contest theme for Fall 2014 was "Sculptures." The students were inspired to build the creation after learning about the endangered West African Giraffe, and wanted to raise awareness to protect endangered species and their habitats.
"We are always impressed by the level of creativity and dedication that goes into these creations, and this semester was no exception. Congratulations to all the winners and participants," said Katie Simmons, marketing manager for Evergreen Packaging. "Seeing all the original new ways students recycle and repurpose cartons each semester for their creations is inspiring."
Each of the 109 participating teams was required to write a short essay detailing how their school would use the prize money if they won. Extra consideration was given if the prize money would be used to support eco-friendly practices. Ira B. Jones Elementary students plan to use their grand prize to build a track and other fitness structures from recycled materials to promote healthy lifestyles, as well as create edible landscaping by planting fruit trees and other elements to encourage healthy eating and living.
"We are thankful that Evergreen Packaging recognized us as the grand prize winner," said Vicki Hall, art teacher at Ira B. Jones Elementary School. "This opportunity allowed our students to come together to learn an important lesson around good environmental habits such as repurposing and recycling that they can continue to use every day. The kids really enjoyed the experience and also learned a great deal about teamwork and collaboration."
Since August 2012, Evergreen Packaging has utilized the Made by Milk™ program to raise awareness among consumers on the benefits of paper cartons. Cartons are a great packaging choice because more than 70 percent of milk carton packaging is paper, made from trees, a renewable resource. Currently, more than 61 million households in the United States have access to recycling programs that accept paper cartons.
13 other schools were recognized across various categories for their innovative and creative carton designs. They include:
People's Choice Winner:
Hiawatha Elementary School, Hiawatha, Kansas; "Milk Man Says, 'Herd Milk Was Super'"
Elementary – more than 300 cartons
PS 176Q, Queens, New York; "Milk Master 5000"
Kelly Mill Elementary, Cumming, Georgia; "Beware of the Greeks Bearing Gifts"
P4K@81, Brooklyn, New York; "The Three Brave Goats"
Elementary – under 300 cartons
Roanoke Elementary School, Roanoke, Indiana; "Exploring the Moo-n"
K. Tarver Elementary School, Laredo, Texas; "Milk Power with Mario"
Calhoun Elementary School, Calhoun, Georgia; "Stinger"
Middle/High School – more than 300 cartons
Benjamin N. Cardozo High School, Bayside, New York; "DOZO Sculpts Haring"
Ringgold Middle School, Ringgold, Georgia; "Milk Carton Holiday Tree Decorated Origami Ornaments"
Loup City Schools, Loup City, Nebraska; "Prairie Silhouette"
Middle/High School – under 300 cartons
St. Gertrude School, Cincinnati, Ohio; "As You See It"
Melvin H. Kreps Middle School, East Windsor, New Jersey; "Super Recycling Man"
Freedom Prep Middle School, Camden, New Jersey; "The Flight of the Dragon on the Pathway to College"
The next Made By Milk Construction Contest will take place in Fall 2015.
www.madebymilkcontest.com
