Students' entry deadline for the 2010 Earth Day poster contest is Jan. 28. This year's theme is "Water Conservation."

Mayor Laura Dubois said entry judging the following week will be based on content as well as artwork, with no clip art or cartoons allowed.

Other contest guidelines and prizes are being developed, she said.

The second annual contest, sponsored by the city of Sequim, is open to all elementary school students living within Sequim School District's boundaries plus home-schooled students.

Last year's contest, which drew 73 entries, was an in-class project but this year it will be an out-of-class project, she said. The contest has a great partnership with the Sequim Open Aire Market and the Sequim Gazette but they are seeking sponsors, she said. The Sequim Community Foundation is allowing use of its 501(c)(3) status so donations can be tax deductible, Dubois said.

The city council endorsed the contest at its Oct. 26 meeting.

Dubois said the city isn't providing any money but council approval was necessary to use the city's logo on advertising.

Earth Day is April 22 every year but many communities, including Sequim, celebrate on a different day if that falls on a weekend, she said.

Dubois said last year's theme was "Grow Your Own Food" because city employees just had bought a Community Organic Garden plot with their own money.

This year's theme was chosen because the county is promoting water conservation, including developing the Water is Wealth logo and buying 100 books on the subject for the library system, she said.

Last year's winners were 10-year-old Elizabeth Rosales from Greywolf Elementary School, 10-year-old Stephanie Grow from Helen Haller Elementary and 10-year-old Paula Roberts from Olympic Peninsula Academy.



Reach Brian Gawley at bgawley@sequimgazette.com.



For more information on Earth Day 2010 activities and sponsorships, contact Mayor Laura Dubois at 360-670-9092.