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Three third-graders from Sterling Heights schools were judged winners in the sixth annual environmental calendar drawing contest and a fourth-grader from the city was one of seven students from across Macomb County who won in the recycling contest.

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco said the four winners are the latest in a line of elementary school students from Sterling Heights to do well in the calendar and recycling competition. Last year, six of the 12 calendar winners were from Sterling Heights schools and one of the six recycling winners was from the city. On top of that, third-graders from Huron Academy were first-place winners in 2006 and 2007 in the calendar contests.

“It appears Sterling Heights is a hot bed for budding young artists and recycling craftsmen,” Marrocco said. “I believe this is a testimony to the diligence and dedication of the school teachers.”

The calendar winners were Ivan Kesto of Jefferson Elementary School in the Warren Consolidated Schools district, Jay Shippey of Plumbrook Elementary School in the Utica Community Schools district and Adrian Pledl of Graebner Elementary School, also in UCS. Sarah Briskey, a fourth-grader at Graebner, was one of the seven recycling contest winners. She made a necklace using old bottle caps and a computer cord.

The winning calendar entries for the 2008 environmental calendar were selected from a field of 700 entries across Macomb County.

The first-place winner was Darian Crank, a third-grader at Shawnee Elementary School in Macomb Township. Her winning entry graces the cover of the 2008 calendar and is also the display drawing for January.

Kesto’s drawing is the display for May, Shippey’s is the centerpiece for September and Pledl’s art work is showcased for November.

“These three students should be proud to have their art work showcased in this year’s calendar,” said Marrocco. “These were three excellent drawings. The judging was very difficult again this year because the entries from across the county were exceptional.”

All 19 winners will receive a fishing rod from the Shakespeare company; a fishing tackle box from Project FISH; a boat trip on Lake St. Clair on a Macomb County Sheriff’s Department marine patrol boat; a rock-wall climbing excursion, led by an expert from REI; an assortment of consumer products from ABITIBI Paper Retriever; and fishing lessons from an expert from Trout Unlimited.

The 12 calendar winners and the seven recycling winners were feted Feb. 7 at an awards ceremony at Independence Hall, at Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights.

The calendar drawing contest is part of a comprehensive environmental education program conducted by the Public Works Office.

Public Works Office instructors also teach ecology-type courses in the classroom from third grade through high school and also hold a recycling contest for elementary students. Pupils make usable products from recycled material they find.