When Briarcliff Middle School teachers Julie Gallagher and Robert Iovino announced a contest to design an Earth Day poster, sixth-grade student Sarah Raphael jumped at the opportunity. The purpose of the statewide competition, sponsored by New York Sens. Carl L. Marcellino and Greg Ball, was to encourage others to remember the three “R’s” of sustainability: reduce, reuse and recycle. With more than 100 students submitting their designs to the contest at the end of March, Sarah was declared the first-place winner and was invited to Sen. Ball’s office to be photographed and receive a plaque.
Sen. Ball announced that Sarah’s poster will be displayed in the New York State Capitol. Sarah’s proud family, including parents Brenda and David and younger brother Ben, have been invited for a private visit to Albany’s legislative chamber.
“I am happy to represent my school,” the winning sixth-grader beamed. “All the students did beautiful work, and I thank Mrs. Gallagher and Mr. Iovino for the opportunity to compete, and for teaching us about reducing, reusing and recycling.”
“I am very proud of Sarah and her many contributions this year,” said Principal Susan Howard. “She is a great student and a fine citizen in our school.”