Foster City Fifth Grade Class Wins First Place in 'Trash to Art' Contest

A Foster City fifth grade class came in first place in the RethinkWaste's "Trash to Art" contest, the agency announced Tuesday.

The fifth grade classes of teachers Sandra Sperow and Dawn Tesarowski from Audubon School in Foster City were awarded first place for their "The U.S.A. Just Got Recycled Map," in which each state was represented by what makes it famous.

Students used materials including fabric, cardboard and cartons to create the three-dimensional piece. The class will receive $500, a special recognition event and a private tour of Shoreway.

Teacher Shelley Jones’ fourth grade class from Fiesta Gardens International School in San Mateo will receive Second Place for their “Young Shadows: Homage to Louise Nevelson,” inspired by the work of a 20th century American artist, Louise Nevelson, who reused and repurposed objects to create her gigantic sculptures.

The piece was made from Girl Scout cookie boxes, paperboard tubes and beverage box inserts, among others. They will receive $250 and a private tour of Shoreway.

Third Place goes to sixth graders in Kathie Strafaci’s class who teaches at St. Charles School in San Carlos for their “Tiger” statue, representing their school mascot.

The tiger is made from waterbottles and caps, newspapers, old rope and fabric. The Third Place prize is $150.

Fourth Place also went to the fifth grade classes at Audubon School for their “Recycleston-A Colonial Town” made from cardboard boxes, old computer wires and milk cartons. They will receive $100 for their class.

The contest was open to all 4th through 6th grade classes in the RethinkWaste service area.

Winners will be recognized by San Carlos Mayor Bob Grassilli at RethinkWaste’s second annual Earth Day@Shoreway event on Saturday, April 20, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Shoreway Environmental Center in San Carlos.

“The students created really amazing and creative art pieces, making it very hard to pick just four winners. They are truly an inspiration, and show that most of the things that get thrown away can have beauty and a second life,” said Faustina Mututa, RethinkWaste’s Environmental Education Coordination.

“The art pieces will be a great addition to the Shoreway Education Center exhibits, and we encourage everyone to come see them at our Earth Day event,” she said.

The contest challenged students and teachers to give trash a new meaning by creating artwork of any medium such as sculptures, collages and murals from material collected from home, school, and everyday life.

A total of 12 classes submitted one-of-a-kind pieces that were voted on by the Agency’s Board of Directors at its March 28 meeting.

In addition to the winners’ schools, submissions were received from Beechwood School(Menlo Park), Fox Elementary School (Belmont), Heather Elementary School (San Carlos), John Gill School (Redwood City), Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School (Redwood City), San Carlos Charter Learning Center (San Carlos), St. Catherine of Siena (Burlingame) and Wornick Jewish Day School(Foster City.) All pieces will be on display at Shoreway.

The free Earth Day@Shoreway event will also include tours of the facility, kids’ activities, a free compost giveaway, informational booths, and prizes. Shoreway is located at 333 Shoreway Road, San Carlos. For more information, visit www.RethinkWaste.org. 

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