Clean City Commission weighs streamlining school poster/essay contest and community-challenge grants
March 20, 2026 | Kingman City, Mohave County, Arizona
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The Clean City Commission discussed past youth outreach programs and options for future school contests on March 19, saying the programs were successful but labor intensive and could be redesigned to be more sustainable.
Staff described two prior efforts: an American Recycle Day poster and essay contest for pre-K through eighth-grade students with prizes for winners and teachers, and the Chuck Gibson Community Challenge, which offered up to $100 in matching funds for community-service projects such as cleanups and tree plantings. Donna said the programs were rewarding but required significant coordination and signed permission forms for students, which limited posting student work online.
Commissioners proposed several changes to reduce the workload and increase impact: limiting entries to a selected grade level (for example, a single middle-school grade), partnering with the Center for the Arts for temporary displays, or asking Mohave Community College to help judge submissions (but not to mentor students directly because background-check costs would be prohibitive). Ideas such as a mural contest or beautification project were discussed as alternatives to classroom-level projects.
Commissioners asked staff to return with a refined plan at the next meeting rather than formally tabling the item tonight.
What happens next: Staff will bring potential streamlined contest formats and logistics back to the next Clean City Commission meeting for further discussion and possible adoption.
Staff described two prior efforts: an American Recycle Day poster and essay contest for pre-K through eighth-grade students with prizes for winners and teachers, and the Chuck Gibson Community Challenge, which offered up to $100 in matching funds for community-service projects such as cleanups and tree plantings. Donna said the programs were rewarding but required significant coordination and signed permission forms for students, which limited posting student work online.
Commissioners proposed several changes to reduce the workload and increase impact: limiting entries to a selected grade level (for example, a single middle-school grade), partnering with the Center for the Arts for temporary displays, or asking Mohave Community College to help judge submissions (but not to mentor students directly because background-check costs would be prohibitive). Ideas such as a mural contest or beautification project were discussed as alternatives to classroom-level projects.
Commissioners asked staff to return with a refined plan at the next meeting rather than formally tabling the item tonight.
What happens next: Staff will bring potential streamlined contest formats and logistics back to the next Clean City Commission meeting for further discussion and possible adoption.
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