Republic teen’s photo wins prize in state anti-litter contest
A Republic teen took home a top award in a state contest drawing people’s focus to the littering problem in Pennsylvania.
First place in the student category of the Gene Capaldi Lens on Litter Contest went to Jacob Valente, a 10th-grade student at Laurel Highlands High School in Uniontown.
Valente, 15, won a $500 award for his photo, “Let’s Jump Start Awareness on Pollution,” which shows a moss-covered battery in the woods below a discarded lightbulb illuminated by sunlight.
The Pennsylvania Resources Council has sponsored the photo contest since 1984. In a release, the PRC said photos can help expose how litter threatens public health and safety, scenic beauty, property values, the environment, pets and wildlife.
Prizes are given out in both student and adult categories.
New this year was a “before and after” category, sponsored by Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful. Submissions documented the improvements made through cleanup efforts registered through its Pick Up PA program.
Next year’s contest opens for entries on Jan. 1.
For more information and to see more winning photos, go to prc.org/what-we-do/lens-on-litter-contest.