Macon-Bibb Celebrates Student Creativity in Annual Clean Streets Matter Art & Essay Contest

On Thursday, November 7, Macon-Bibb County and Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful (KMBB) celebrated student creativity at the fourth annual Clean Streets Matter Art & Essay contest, with over 500 students from 14 schools across the county participating. This year’s theme was “What I do to help keep Macon-Bibb beautiful?”

“Our departments and partners work tirelessly to address issues like littering and illegal dumping, but it’s crucial that we teach the younger generation the importance of clean streets,” said Macon-Bibb County Executive Director of Community Affairs, Dr. Henry Ficklin. “By instilling this value in today’s children, we can reduce littering and make a real difference in our neighborhoods.”

The contest featured four categories: K-2nd Grade Art, 3rd-5th Grade Art, 6th-8th Grade Essay, and 9th-12th Grade Essay. The students expressed their ideas through visual art and written submissions, encouraging both creativity and environmental awareness.

Asha Ellen, Executive Director of KMBB, emphasized the importance of the contest in fostering creative expression and raising awareness about environmental issues. “This is a fantastic opportunity for students to engage in critical thinking and communication while promoting a cleaner, greener environment,” she said.

Each category winner received a monetary prize, and the first-place essay winners had the honor of reading their submissions aloud at the event.

The winners will be honored further with an invitation to KMBB Night at the Macon Mayhem game on February 1, and they will also represent KMBB on a float in the Cherry Blossom Festival Parade.

K-2ND GRADE ART
1st Place – Gracelynn Broughton, Heard Elementary School
2nd Place – Autumn Reeves, Sonny Carter Elementary School
3rd Place – Ariah Stoudemire, Vineville Academy of the Arts

3RD-5TH GRADE ART
1st Place – Ava Harvey, Vineville Academy of the Arts
2nd Place – Charley Nguyen, Heard Elementary School
3rd Place – Ruth Nicholson, Vineville Academy of the Arts

6TH-8TH GRADE ESSAY
1st Place – Karen DeLeon Cruz, Miller Fine Arts Magnet School
2nd Place – Taylor Cruz, Ballard Hudson Middle School
3rd Place – Ray Timmerman, Miller Fine Arts Magnet School

9TH-12TH GRADE ESSAY
1st Place – Tanya Sah, Westside High School
2nd Place – Mieto Elecho, Westside High School
3rd Place – Nathan Miller, Howard High School