Huntsman Contest for Teens Highlighted at Governor's Idle Free Event

A program piloted by Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business and USU Extension Sustainability was recognized by the Utah Governor’s Office for engaging high school students across Cache Valley to participate in clean air advocacy. 

Roslynn Brain McCann, USU Extension Sustainability, presented on the Utah High School Clean Air Poster Contest, a program she developed with Edwin Stafford, professor of marketing, Huntsman School of Business, at the 11th Annual Governor’s Declaration for Idle Free Month of September on September 18 in Salt Lake City. 

Stafford and Brain McCann began the poster contest three years ago as a way to inform teens with new driving privileges about the impact of car pollution on the environment. The contest also focuses on having students create a public service campaign directed toward peers and local residents, reminding them to curb idling and unnecessary driving and to seek carpooling or other modes of clean transportation. In 2018, more than 550 Cache Valley and Grand County high school students submitted original posters advocating clean air practices. The winning student posters have been used for education outreach across the state and on social media. The posters were celebrated at the governor’s idle free declaration event and will be on display at the Salt Lake City and County Building all month long. The event also featured a large display of past winning student posters. 

“The teens who participated in the clean air poster contest are truly making a difference in the air quality in Cache Valley,” said Stafford. “Their posters are funny, provocative and sometimes terrifying. Not only are the teens more willing themselves to take steps to preserve air quality, they’re also becoming ‘change agents’ by influencing their friends, family, peers and others to do the same. We’re pleased Governor Herbert is recognizing this program and the teens who have used their art and marketing talents to be so enthusiastically involved in keeping our air clean.”

The official reading of the 11th Annual Declaration was by Laura Nelson, energy adviser to the governor. The event also featured addresses by Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski, Utah Clean Air Partnership, Utah Clean Air Caucus, Intermountain Health Care, Utah Clean Cities Board and Salt Lake City Sustainability. Additionally, the event recognized mayors of the eight Idle Free Utah Cities, including Logan City Mayor Holly H. Daines.

The winning posters and more information on the clean air poster contest can be found at cleanaircontest.usu.edu.