Maple Avenue Elementary School Earns Chance to Win $20,000 in Environmental Competition

Claremont, NH’s Maple Avenue Elementary School has the chance to compete against 19 other finalist schools for a $20,000 grand prize in Walmart’s “Earth Day Every Day Challenge.”

The challenge kicked off in April, when 439 schools from around the country submitted essays detailing the steps the students and faculty at each school had taken to help make the world a greener place. A panel of three independent judges chose 20 finalists, including Maple Avenue, to receive a $500 gift card for items that will help enhance their eco-friendly activities. The finalists also earned the chance to compete for the $20,000 grand prize that will allow the schools to continue their “green” projects.

Maple Avenue secured its spot in the top 20 with an essay that showcased the fifth grade class’ “green” project: a greenhouse built from recycled materials used by the school. The greenhouse will be used to grow vegetables and herbs that will be donated to local soup kitchens or sold at Claremont’s weekly farmer’s market. Proceeds from the farmer’s market will fund additional environmental projects at the school.

Maple Avenue Elementary and the other finalists have now submitted short videos highlighting the environmental activities and projects described in their essays. The videos are posted at www.earthdayeverydaychallenge.com, where anyone 18 years of age or older can log on to vote for Maple Avenue’s entry until 11:59 p.m. EDT this Thursday, June 19th. The school with the most votes at the end of the voting period will receive the $20,000 grand prize.