Winner of Penn Hills anti-littering essay contest focuses on scope of issue

“Litter: It’s Everyone’s Problem.”

The title of the winning submission in Penn Hills Anti-Littering’s inaugural essay contest by Therone Wade stressed the message that littering “is never good for anyone,” including people, wildlife and the environment.

“Litter is harmful for three reasons: littering kills wildlife, pollutes the environment and damages communities. Litter is never good for anyone. What can you do to help end littering in Penn Hills?” Wade wrote.

The contest challenged students in grades seven through 12 to spread the word about the impact of litter.

The essays needed to answer one or both of two questions in 3oo to 500 words. Prompts included “How does litter negatively affect a community or your community?” and “What can I do to help my community clean or to help to clean it up?”

Wade, a senior at Penn Hills High School, focused on the dangers of animals ingesting litter, most often comprised of plastic. He also referenced plastic’s affect on marine life and its affect on climate change.

Wade wrote that he can organize groups to remove litter around his neighborhood and coordinate litter patrols in various areas of the municipality. He also said he can write letters to state and national representatives “to tell them about global warming. Possibly, they can educate us to prepare for it.”

“Penn Hills is a place of caring neighbors and a wonderful, diverse landscape in diverse neighborhoods. Penn Hills is a proud and beautiful community that needs to be pollutant-free for our family, friends and neighbors,” Wade wrote.

Wade is joined by Marteen Hassan, Dylan Isel, Akinyemi Orisajobi, Blake Miller and Colleen Hoolahan as other essays recognized for their messages on littering.

The students will receive cash prizes at an award ceremony starting at 1 p.m. June 1 at the Penn Hills Library.

To read Wade’s entire essay, see the June 6 edition of the Penn Hills Progress.