At the 6th Annual Student Environmental Action Showcase, held at the Academies of Loudoun on May 2, 149 Loudoun County students presented projects that addressed real-world environmental issues. The goal of the event, which was coordinated by the Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance (LEEA), was to showcase how students have meaningfully contributed to environmental stewardship in Loudoun County. The Showcase was co-sponsored by LEEA, Loudoun County Public Schools, and the Northwest VA Regional GREENetwork.
Student exhibits were judged by a panel of judges, and LEEA awarded first, second, and third place awards in elementary, middle, and high school categories. Additionally, LEEA recognized one project with the “Innovation in Action” award and introduced three new “Communicator” awards, recognizing students who demonstrated exceptional messaging and creativity in promoting sustainability. Winning students were awarded cash prizes.
Grades K-5
1st place ($500): “Saving Our Ocean from Microplastics” presented to Avyukt Satia and Aarav Ganesan of Aqua Avengers
2nd place ($350): “Save the End” presented to Eshan Chatterjee of Goshen Post Elementary School
3rd place ($150): “The Kraken Klaw” presented to Aaron Isaacson, Keyan Jayanin and Myra Silwal of the Kraken Koders, a FIRST LEGO League in South Riding.
Grades 6-8
1st place ($500): “Limanades: The Microplastic Busters” presented to Aniketh Lokesh, Kavin Nair, Nathan Nair, Chase Newborn, Arsalan Riar and Samved Prajapati of Belmont Ridge Middle School
2nd place ($350): “The Sustainable Stitch Project” presented to Saavya Patel of Mercer Middle School
3rd place ($150): “Farmwell Seedbomb Project” presented to Raysha Gyanwali Saisarvesh Gunasekaran, Benamron Makonnen and Sami Mendenhall of Farmwell Station Middle School
Grades 9-12
1st place ($500): “Smart Salting to Save Our Streams” presented to Karen Jimenez of Loudoun County High School
2nd place ($350): “SOS: Save Our Scavengers” presented to Norah McCormick of the Academies of Loudoun and the Youth Conservation Leadership Institute
3rd place ($150): “Woodgrove Chestnut Tree Research Plot” presented to Andrew Dean, Autumn Herrera and Chloe Black of Woodgrove High School
Communicator Award ($100)
Grades K-5: “Citrus Magic” presented to Diya and Aarna Yalamanchili of Cardinal Ridge Elementary School
Grades 6-8: “Wrist Risk” presented to Cameron Fox of Blue Ridge Middle School
Grades 9-12: Tie between “SOS: Save Our Scavengers,” presented to Norah McCormick of the Academies of Loudoun and the Youth Conservation Leadership Institute, and “Smart Salting to Save Our Streams,” presented to Karen Jimenez of Loudoun County High School
Innovation in Action Award ($300)
“Sammy the Solar Siren” presented to homeschoolers Kira “Wren” Bain, Amelia Brandt, Basil Mullins and Ella Murphy.
Cash prizes were made available through the support of SEAS sponsors, including CMTA, Keep Loudoun Beautiful and the Lucketts Ruritan Club.