An elephant made by Johanna Merritt, which was the favorite of JB Green Team drivers. -- Warren Scott

A panel of 14 volunteer judges was recruited to evaluate nearly 200 entries. Submissions were displayed at the Fort Steuben Mall. It was the largest response in recent years, explained Louise Holliday, who serves as environmental educator for the regional recycling program.

Students used a variety of materials, including empty tin cans, plastic bottles and cardboard tubes. Several students at Toronto Junior-Senior High School created facades for miniature homes using scraps from picture frames, cardboard and photos clipped from magazines.

Three winners and an honorable mention were named for three different age groups, including kindergarten through fourth grade, grades 5 through 8 and grades 9 to 12. Each received a gift card from Amazon or Chick-fil-A, a medal and a certificate.

The top finishers for those in kindergarten through fourth grade were: Kasen Filtz, McKinley STEM Academy, first, robot created using painted and sparkle-covered cardboard tubes; Stellar Stoddart, Toronto Elementary School, second, plastic bottle and cardboard tube cow; and Lachlyn McCord, Wells Academy, third place, flower garden occupied by a bird with tongue depressor wings and a turtle with bottlecap scales. Receiving honorable mention was Abbie Miller of Wells Academy for the vase of flower petals she created from an empty ketchup bottle and other recycled materials.

A rocket made by Kasen Filtz, the top finisher for grades kindergarten through 4. -- Warren Scott

Top finishers in grades 5 through 8 included, Stella Mousourakis, Toronto Elementary School, first place, pair of bluebirds created using bottle caps and other materials; Ana Rex, Toronto Junior-Senior High School, second, charming house facade; and Bradley Fuoco, Indian Creek Middle School, third place, heart candy box. Receiving honorable mention was Ava Marie Harris of Stanton Elementary School for a tray filled with a cup of paper popcorn and other movie snacks.

Top finishers in the category of freshmen through seniors were, Stephen Ohalek, Toronto High School, first place, bright blue tsunami made with a wire clothes hanger, scrap of wood, nylon hose and paint; the team of Kendra Board and Gracie Ludwig, Toronto High School, second, dragonfly with wings made from large fan blades; and Anna Wright, Toronto High School, third, a piece incorporating the tornado and other elements of “The Wizard of Oz.” Receiving honorable mention was Natalie Romanyak of Steubenville High School for her flower tea can.

Named the favorite of a panel of judges comprised of JB Green Team drivers was an elephant produced by Johanna Merritt of Toronto Elementary School. The creation was made with a milk jug body and head, cardboard ears, plastic straw tusks and water bottle legs.

Assisting Holliday in organizing the contest was JB Green Team Administrative Assistant Natalie Lysle. Lysle expressed her thanks to the art instructors who involved their students in the contest. “Several of the teachers brought in all of the entries from their schools,” noted Lysle.