Lake Zurich Middle School Students Earn Top State Honors

Local students recognized for excellence in EPA's annual poster, poetry and prose contest

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:42am

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic environmental object such as a recycling bin or tree sapling, repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the creative environmental education programs at Lake Zurich Middle School South.A vibrant pop art celebration of the environmental education and civic engagement fostered at Lake Zurich Middle School South.Lake Zurich Today

Several students from Lake Zurich Middle School South were honored for their winning entries in the Illinois EPA's statewide Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest focused on cleaner air. The article highlights local winner Scarlet Olivia and her classmates who received top awards, honorable mentions, and special recognition at a ceremony in Springfield.

Why it matters

The EPA's annual contest encourages students to creatively explore environmental issues, fostering environmental awareness and civic engagement among the next generation. Lake Zurich Middle School South's strong showing in the competition demonstrates the school's commitment to environmental education and the talent of its student body.

The details

The Illinois EPA's statewide Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest invited fifth- and sixth-grade students across the state to submit creative works addressing the theme of cleaner air. Several students from Lake Zurich Middle School South were recognized for their winning entries, including Scarlet Olivia who earned a top award. The school's strong performance in the competition highlights the quality of its environmental education programs and the creativity of its student body.

  • The awards ceremony took place in Springfield earlier this year.

The players

Scarlet Olivia

A student at Lake Zurich Middle School South who earned a top award in the Illinois EPA's Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest.

Lake Zurich Middle School South

A middle school in Lake Zurich, Illinois that had several students recognized for their winning entries in the Illinois EPA's annual environmental contest.

Illinois EPA

The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency that hosts the annual Poster, Poetry, and Prose Contest to encourage environmental awareness and civic engagement among students.

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The takeaway

The strong performance of Lake Zurich Middle School South students in the Illinois EPA's environmental contest demonstrates the school's commitment to nurturing the next generation of environmental stewards and problem-solvers. Their success highlights the value of hands-on, creative approaches to environmental education that empower students to make a difference in their communities.