Ecology-minded artists from JFK participated in two recent poster contests promoting recycling, earning accolades for their work.

In the New York State Senate’s Earth Day Poster Contest, organized by State Sen. Phil Boyle, JFK fifth-grader Haley Reyes was named the first place winner. Her poster, reflecting the theme of “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle,” was hung in Boyle’s offices.

In the annual Covanta recycling poster contest, winners from JFK were third-graders Kaylee Nguyen (who won first place in grades 1-3) and Jaidyn Schabe (third place for grades 1-3), fourth-graders Isabella LaPuerta (third place in grades 4-6) and Gloria Min (first place in grades 4-6), and fifth-grader Juliana Meo (second place in grades 4-6). They were recognized by Covanta representative Mark O’Brien, Babylon Town Councilman Tony Martinez and Babylon Town Commissioner of Environmental Control Vicki Russell at a ceremony at the Covanta facilities in West Babylon. Having two first-place winners also earned JFK a $1,000 gift card to Barnes & Noble.