Earth Day Poster and Writing Contest

Calling all Hayward students! In celebration of Earth and its environmental principles, you are invited to submit entries to the 38th Annual Earth Day Poster and Writing Contest. Entries may focus on one or more of the following topics:

  • Water Conservation
  • Energy Conservation
  • Renewable Energy
  • Biking, Walking, and Carpooling
  • Recycling and Composting
  • Sustainable Meals
  • Litter-Free Environment
  • Environmental Justice

Two winners for poster entries and two winners for poem/essay entries will be selected from each grade category. The grade categories are: K-1st Grade, 2nd-3rd Grade, 4th-5th Grade, 6th-8th Grade, and 9th-12th Grade. Entries will be judged on originality, clarity, and expression of theme.

First place winners will receive a $200 gift certificate. Second place winners will receive a $150 gift certificate. Additionally, all the winners will be entered in a drawing for two $200 gift certificates. One winner will be drawn from the poster winners and another winner will be drawn from the poem/essay winners.

Teachers of the winning students will also receive gift certificates. Teachers with a first place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate. Teachers with a second place winner will receive a $75 gift certificate.

All prizes will be awarded at a City Council meeting TBD.

Entries are due by March 19, 2021. A completed entry form is required for all entries. For an entry form, see here. For a detailed list of rules, see below.

New this year, submissions can also be submitted electronically. To turn in your poster, poem, or essay electronically, please go here (English) or here (Spanish). 

  1. To qualify, all entries must follow these rules. No purchase is necessary to participate. Must be a Hayward resident, HUSD student, or student at a school within the City of Hayward to participate.
  2. All posters or poems/essays must be the sole work of the entrant.
  3. Poems/essays must be typed or neatly handwritten with double-spacing, must not exceed one page, and must be no more than 250 words long. All types of poems are welcome.
  4. Posters must be no larger than 12” x 18”. Larger entries will not be judged. Posters can be created digitally or traditionally.
  5. Winners will be chosen on the basis of originality, clarity, and expression of theme.  All judges’ decisions are final. Poems/essays will be judged separately from posters.
  6. Two winners for poster entries and two winners for poem/essay entries will be selected from each grade category. Grade categories are K – 1st Grade, 2nd – 3rd Grade, 4th – 5th Grade, 6th – 8th Grade, and 9th – 12th Grade. First place winners will receive a $200 gift certificate. Second place winners will receive a $150 gift certificate.
  7. All the winners will be entered in a drawing for two $200 gift certificates. One winner will be drawn from the poster winners and another winner will be drawn from the poem/essay winners.
  8. Each teacher from whose class a winner is selected will receive a gift certificate. Teachers with a first place winner will receive a $100 gift certificate. Teachers with a second place winner will receive a $75 gift certificate. Please note that only the teacher whose name is written on the entry form may receive the gift certificate.
  9. All prizes will be awarded at a City Council meeting in 2021. 
  10. Winners will be notified by telephone, teacher email, and parent email. Please write contact information clearly.
  11. Employees of the City of Hayward and their immediate families are not eligible to win prizes.
  12. All posters and poems/essays become the property of the City of Hayward and will only be returned upon request. Students or parents may contact (510) 583-4727 to arrange for pick up by May 7, 2021.