Applause

Herald staff

Two students from Snohomish County are among the 14 winners of a statewide poster contest celebrating America Recycles Day.

NJin Hwa Seo, a third-grader at Soundview Private School in Edmonds, and Elizabeth Liebrock, a fifth-grade student at Pinewood Elementary in Marysville, and their families and teachers will be honored at a reception at the state Capitol in Olympia.

Liebrock’s class is traveling to Olympia. Her parents and grandparents are also planning to attend, said her teacher, Ruth Ann Wilson .

Seo’s teacher, Millie Brandauer, described the young daughter of immigrants as "very talented."

The theme is "For Our Children’s Future, Buy Recycled Today." The winning artwork will be featured in full-color 2001 calendars.

There were 850 entries statewide and 72 from Snohomish County. Last year, there were 250 entries, committee chairwoman Terri Washburn said.

"The colorful posters show that the students understand the recycling bin is just the first step in the process, and that through the purchase of products made of recycled content the loop is really closed," she said. "The children comprehend the value of recycling to help save our natural resources."

Washburn said there are a limited number of calendars, with most going to participants and officials. She hopes to find a sponsor so more will be available in future years.