Nebraska students’ environmental artwork to be featured in 2025 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” calendar
The artwork of 13 Nebraska students will be featured in the 2025 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” environmental calendar. The statewide contest is sponsored by the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy (NDEE) and focuses on the importance of waste reduction, recycling and litter cleanup.
The students whose submissions were selected for the 2025 calendar were invited to a ceremony at the State Capitol on Friday, August 9, where they were honored by Lieutenant Governor Joe Kelly and NDEE Deputy Director Kara Valentine. Each month, the calendar features one of the 12 winning environmental posters. A 13th winner’s artwork provides the cover for the calendar.
The entry featured on the cover was submitted by Kiersten Hans, a seventh-grade student from Wynot Public Schools in Wynot.
The other 12 winners who are featured in the calendar are:
Harley Schmeckpeper, a seventh-grade student from Bloomfield Community School, Bloomfield.
Tenley Bruha, a sixth-grade student from Ord Elementary, Ord.
Leo Rikli, a tenth-grade student from Elmwood Murdock Jr/Sr High School, Murdock.
Mitra Maruvada, a fifth-grade student from Willa Cather Elementary, Omaha.}
Haezlyn McGowen, a fourth-grade student from Neligh-Oakdale Public Schools, Neligh.
Emily Hinze, an eleventh-grade student from Gering High School, Gering.
Nora Novak a kindergarten student from Fisher’s School - Schuyler Community Schools, Schuyler.
Austin Diebler, an eighth-grade student from Valentine Middle School, Valentine.
Eh Plae Soe Moo, a ninth-grade student from Omaha Northwest High School, Omaha.
Hailey Uffelman, a sixth-grade student from Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran, York.
Lexi Filipi, a fourth-grade student from Bayard Elementary, Bayard.
Jeymi Rodriguez, a ninth-grade student from David City High School, David City.
Nebraskans can receive a free copy of the calendar by emailing the NDEE public information office at NDEE.moreinfo@nebraska.gov or calling the office at 402-471-2186.
Lt. Gov. Joe Kelly and Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy Deputy Director Kara Valentine honored 13 students whose artwork was chosen to be a part of the 2025 “Nebraska: Don’t Waste It!” Calendar. Pictured are, from left: (front row) Mitra Maruvada, Haezlyn McGowen, Nora Novak, and Lexi Filipi; and (back row) Jeymi Rodriguez, Deputy Director Valentine; Leo Rikli, Emily Hinze, Lt. Gov. Kelly, Hailey Uffelman, Tenley Bruha, and Kiersten Hans. Not pictured are Harley Schmeckpeper, Austin Diebler, and Eh Plae Soe Moo.