Nucor displays some beautiful trash

For the third year portions of Nucor Steel’s office area was crammed full of litter and refuse; but it was not in a trash can and it reflected amazing creativity. The event was part of the Texas Recycle Day featuring Junk Art from students of Leon County Schools.

Students were asked to design something, almost anything, using only recycled materials. Judging was broken into categories of elementary, junior high and high school. All varieties of recycled materials were used in these creations; some examples are newspaper, wire, soda bottles, straws, bottle caps, baling string etc.

The first step was to have a Junk Art Contest at each school. Once winners were selected, the artists and their art works were invited to attend the Nucor party which included lunch and an awards ceremony.

Kim Pritchard, Nucor Environmental Manager, greeted the local artists after they had been treated to a lunch of hot dogs with trimmings and Blue Bell ice cream. Pritchard explained that Nucor recycles approximately one million tons of scrap metal per year. Some examples of what they recycle are cars, refrigerators, metal buildings, all of which would end up in a land fill if not for being recycled.

General Manager Chad Utermark presented ribbons to the winners and explained that a check in varying amounts would go to each winning school.

Elementary: 1st place - $250.00 to Leon for Mrs. Frizzle; 2nd place - $150.00 to Buffalo for Walk in the Park; 3rd place - $100.00 to Normangee for Mega Ramp.

Junior High: 1st place - $250.00 to Centerville for A Truck; 2nd place -$150.00 to Leon for Wind Farm.

High School: 1st place - $250.00 to Leon for Two Masks; 2nd place - $150.00 to Centerville for The Aquarium.

All students and schools are to be congratulated.