Colorfully finding solutions for pollution. The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has announced the winners of the 2025 Trash Poster Contest, which emphasizes the importance of keeping our land clean and highlights the upcoming Rt. 66 100th Anniversary. Fourteen Oklahoma students have been recognized for their creative litter prevention artwork which will be showcased in the state’s annual calendar aimed at promoting awareness for a clean environment.
Students from kindergarten through 12th grade displayed their artistic talents in conveying the importance of litter-free environments and serves as a reminder of the impact litter has, particularly along highways. This calendar will be distributed throughout the state to encourage responsible trash disposal and recycling. This year's contest received nearly 4,000 submissions. The selected winners will receive a variety of prizes, including monetary awards, T-shirts, certificates, poster boards and laminated copies of their artwork. Additionally, the teachers of these students will be awarded vouchers for classroom supplies and two-night vouchers to an Oklahoma State Park, courtesy of the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation.
"Creating art allows students to better understand the effects of litter on the environment and encourages them to inspire others," said Melody Johnson, ODOT Beautification Coordinator. She expressed gratitude for the support from families, teachers and communities in fostering a commitment to cleanliness in Oklahoma.
The winning posters are available for online viewing at oklahoma.gov/odot/tpc.The Promotional Poster of the Year will have their design printed as a pull-out poster, promoting environmental clean-up and trash-free initiatives. The winning entries will be featured in a 2026 calendar due to be released in December. Free copies of the 2026 Trash Poster Calendars will be available while supplies last, reaching state agencies, businesses and schools across Oklahoma.
Litter has far-reaching implications for our environment, safety, public health and budgets. Just under $6 million is spent annually by ODOT to manage litter on highways and interstates, while the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority invests about $1 million each year to clean toll roads. Additional clean-up efforts include numerous volunteer hours committed to combating litter during the national Great American Cleanup, initiated by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful and supported by local efforts.
Next year’s contest is set to begin on December 1, 2025, with submissions due by January 31, 2026. For more information about the contest and how to enter, visit oklahoma.gov/odot /tpc or contact the ODOT Beautification Office at (405) 521-4037.
This initiative is supported by various partners, including the Oklahoma Department of Transportation, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality, Oklahoma Turnpike Authority, Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department – Oklahoma State Parks, Cherokee Nation, OG&E, Oklahoma’s Credit Union, Oklahoma Office of Management and Enterprise Services – Application Development & Deployment, Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Ardmore Beautification Council, Oklahoma City Beautiful, Oklahoma Rural Water Association, Solid Waste Institute of Northeast Oklahoma, Oklahoma Department of Education, Department of Public Safety/Oklahoma Highway Patrol and the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office.
The state winners by county are:
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade:
• First Place: Mayleigh Timmreck, 2nd grade, Pittsburgh
• Second Place: Pearl Price, kindergarten, Kay
• Third Place: Alyla Gribnitz, 1st grade, McCurtain
3rd - 5th Grade:
• First Place: Alivia Yeager, 4th grade, Adair
• Second Place: Alexandra Lin, 5th grade, Tulsa
• Third Place: Lydia Bundy, 5th grade, McCurtain
6th - 8th Grade:
• First Place: Layla Kowena, 6th grade, Comanche
• Second Place: Andrea Ramos, 8th grade, Bryan
• Third Place: Rylee Inskeep, 6th grade, Kingfisher
9th - 12th Grade:
• First Place: Wesley Chase Perryman 12th grade, Carter
• Second Place: Emily Eilers, 11th grade, Woodward
• Third Place: Rilyn Teafatiller, 10th grade, Bryan
PROMOTIONAL POSTER OF THE YEAR
• Jorge Remis Elias, 10th grade, Love
ENTRY FORM POSTER FOR 2026
• Julie Pendergraft, 12th grade, Harmon
Winners of the ODOT 2026 Trash Poster Contest have been announced. This year’s winning promotional poster, titled "Oklahoma Clean and Pristine Route 66” by artist Jorge Remis Elias, Marietta High School will be distributed throughout the state to encourage responsible trash disposal and recycling. For more information about the contest and next year's contest starting December 1, 2025 click here.
Colorfully finding solutions for pollution! Celebrating 100 years of Route 66 in 2026, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation emphasizes the importance of keeping Oklahoma litter-free, animal-friendly and safe on all of your routes. Next year’s contest is set to begin December 1, 2025, with submissions due by January 31, 2026. For more information about the contest, click here. Artist: Layla Kowena, "Okla Keep Route 66 Clean," first place, 6th grade, Cache Intermediate School.
