Bethpage student wins third place in Town poster contest

BY GARY SIMEONE

Dhruvika Khanna, a fourthgrade student at Central Boulevard Elementary School, wanted to show her love of the oceans in Town of Oyster Bay poster contest. The talented young student impressed the judges so much that she won third place in the contest.

The contest, which was entitled “Our Town Our Environment,” was meant to raise awareness of pollution and its impact on our environment.

Khanna, who drew a picture of the oceans and various sea creatures in colored pencils, said she wanted to depict pollution’s effects on our overall environment.

“I think it’s so important to save and have clean oceans because it affects everyone from human beings down to the tiniest living creatures on Earth,” said Khanna.

The talented nine year-old spent two days thinking about her poster and coloring it in with colored pencils and a Sharpie magic marker.

“I’ve always been obsessed with the oceans and I love to draw, so I liked the idea of participating in a poster contest.

It was my first time doing so and I’m so happy that I placed in the contest.”

Her poster contained pictures of sea creatures, such as fish, turtles and whales, floating plastic waste and interesting facts about the ecosystem in the ocean.

“My message for people is to recycle plastic bottles, eat sustainably and use fewer plastic products overall,” said Khanna.

Dominique Siebert, principal of Central Boulevard, said Khanna is a very bright young lady and a budding artist.

“I’m very proud of her for being dedicated and accomplishing her goal,” said Siebert. “She is a role model for other students in our school, and I’m confident that she will make a positive impact on the environment in the not too distant future.”

As a result of placing third in the contest, Khanna was given a tree, which she planted in the school’s garden.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino visited the school earlier this month to take part in the tree planting ceremony.