Governor Announces 2003 Coal Calendar Contest Winners

SPRINGFIELD -- Governor George H. Ryan today honored the 25 school children whose essays and artwork were chosen to be included in the Illinois Coal Calendar for the year 2003.

"Coal is a rich and vital natural resource in Illinois. With the development of clean coal technologies and my administration's support of the industry, Illinois is in a strong position to benefit from the resurgence in the use of coal to help supply our energy needs," said Governor Ryan. "This competition helps to promote the importance of the coal industry, while teaching students about the contributions Illinois coal has made to our economy and quality of life."

This is the 14th straight year that the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA) has sponsored the contest. Illinois students from the fifth through eighth grades entered the competition by submitting artwork and essays demonstrating coal's significance in Illinois and its relationship to energy and the environment. More than 4,000 students were received for this year's contest.

The 25 winners were recognized this afternoon at an awards ceremony at the Executive Mansion in Springfield. Each of the winners received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond.

"The Coal Calendar is one way of marketing our coal industry and initiatives," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "With the level of support Governor Ryan has given to coal and energy development, it's imperative that this message be spread to the business community and the public."

In addition to the individual student winners, a special award was given to Minooka Junior High for submitting the most entries (397). Three other schools were recognized for achieving full participation among all of their students: Immaculate Conception in Morris, East Side Intermediate School in Harrisburg, and Immanuel Lutheran School in Okawville.

Copies of the 2003 Coal Calendar will be available this fall. To order a calendar, write to Barb Antonini in DCCA's Office of Coal Development, 620 E. Adams St., Springfield, IL 62701, or call 217/782-5370 (TDD 800/785-6055).

Attached is a list of this year's winners.

1. Jessica Anderson
   Immaculate Conception School
   Minooka
   Essay

2. Amanda Atkins
   Mt. Caramel Middle School
   Mt. Caramel
   Essay

3. Roarke Burnett
   Hamilton Elementary School
   Hamilton
   Essay

4. Nicholas Cerentano
   Staunton Jr. H.S.
   Staunton
   Essay

5. Danielle Drummond
   Channahon Middle School
   Minooka
   Poster

6. Vanessa Ferguson
   Porta Jr. H.S.
   Petersburg
   Poster

7. Eric Gibson
   Gardner Grade School
   Gardner
   Poster

8. Angela Jin
   Garden Hills Elementary School
   Champaign
   Essay

9. Adam Johnston
   Ewing Northern Grade School
   Benton
   Poster

10. Kaitlyn Kaegy
    West Elementary School
    Carlinville
    Poster

11. Jeff Lee
    Casey-Westfield School
    Casey
    Essay

12. Alicia McKendry
    Minooka Jr. H.S.
    Minooka
    Poster

13. Austin Modglin
    Carterville Intermediate School
    Carterville
    Poster

14. Mike Muscarello
    Lincoln Jr. High
    Mt. Prospect
    Poster

15. Lora Ossola
    Putnam County Elementary School
    Granville
    Poster

16. Mackenzie Ourth
    LaHarpe Jr. H.S.
    Carthage
    Essay

17. Matthew Plese
    Reed-Custer Middle School
    Braidwood
    Essay

18. Johnny Powers
    Cumberland Jr. H.S.
    Greenup
    Essay

19. Lauren Smego
    Shabbona Middle School
    Morris
    Essay

20. Kevin Smith
    Metropolis Jr. H.S.
    Metropolis
    Poster

21. Alexa Snyder
    Auburn Middle School
    Auburn
    Poster

22. Melissa Starkweather
    Lincoln Jr. H.S.
    Naperville
    Poster

23. Carl Trank
    Winnebago Middle School
    Winnebago
    Essay

24. Matt Webster
    Coal City Middle School
    Morris
    Poster

25. Lauren Weigt
    Rotola Middle School
    Aurora
    Essay