Young People Improving the Chesapeake Bay – the ’24-’25 challenge!

Congratulations to all the young people, educators, and community partners across the Chesapeake Bay Watershed who worked together to create spectacular action plans! And a huge thanks to our volunteer judges for assessing every action plan submitted this year. Be sure to tune in on May 1st at 2:30pm ET for the Finals – RSVP here!

This year’s submissions were incredible! A total of 16 dedicated educators guided over 1,000 young people through impactful projects. With $17,500 provided in implementation funding + participation awards—and even more prize money on the way —these educators and young people are making substantial improvements in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. 

Finalists will go on to create a 5 minute Action Story to present to a panel of judges in late April. Honorable Mentions and Special Recognitions will be implementing their plans and creating their own version of action stories for the Virtual Showcase. We look forward to working with ALL of these unique projects! 

Blair Middle School, Educator: Allison Hazzard
Big Green and Gold – Finalist
Practice Awareness – Special Recognition

Campbell Elementary School
Pollution Solution – Educator: Christine Payack (Honorable Mention)

Crossroads School
Living Ponds – Educator: Clare Spain (Finalist)

Farmwell Station Middle School
Seed Bomb Project – Educator: Manju Gomathinayagam (Finalist)

Fredericksburg Academy
Community Pollinator Garden – Educators: Kimberly McGehee & Julie Appleton (Finalist)

Jamestown Elementary School
The Native Restorers – Educator: Sheri Sharwarko (Finalist)

Katherine Johnson Middle School, Educators: Faiza Alam and Gabrielle Huthoefer
Piney Branch Creek Action – Special Recognition
Plantable Pencils – Special Recognition
Raise & Grow Locally – Finalist
Trout in the Classroom – Special Recognition

Langston Hughes Middle School
Pollution is Bugging Our Stream – Educator: Kim Schauer (Finalist)

London Towne Elementary School, Educators: Maddie Sirota and Megan Carnahan
Caring for Our Community – Special Recognition
Get2Green Gurus – Finalist
Looking Out for Brookie – Special Recognition

Longfellow Middle School, Educators: Kate Carey and Yannos Misitzis
EcoAction Water Wise – Special Recognition
Herbaceous Intervention – Honorable Mention
Zombie Apocalypse – Honorable Mention

Mclean High School
Merlin Citizen Science – Educator: Kate Carey (Special Recognition)

Mount View Middle School
Buffer Builders – Educator: Susan Mako (Finalist)

Rachel Carson Middle School
Single Use Plastic Campaign – Educators: Kirk Treakle and Patty Walsh (Finalist)