By CAPA-MC Growing & Giving Club Co-President Eunia Zhong

On Sunday, March 16th, the Growing and Giving Club under CAPA-MC hosted the “Be a Zero Hero” PSA Video Contest award ceremony in the cafeteria of Winston Churchill High School. The event brought together many award-winning students, along with their families and friends, to celebrate their achievements. Esteemed guests from various fields and representatives from the contest’s judging panel were also in attendance.

The ceremony opened with video messages from Ms. Julie Yang, President of the Montgomery County Public Schools Board of Education, and Ms. Kate Stewart, President of the Montgomery County Council. Both praised the contestants for their dedication to raising awareness about plastic pollution and their passion for environmental protection. Ms. Yang also prepared certificates from the Montgomery County Board of Education to recognize each of the winners.

Maryland Delegate Lily Qi (District 15) made a special appearance, delivering an inspiring speech in which she commended the students’ civic engagement and highlighted Maryland’s ongoing environmental initiatives. She encouraged young people to take an active role in sustainability efforts. Other distinguished guests included Montgomery County Community Project Manager Jake Adler, senior TV producer and host Ms. Li Feng, Chief Correspondent of Yuan Media Ms. Yin Pingping, CEO of Belem Therapeutics Dr. Frank Zhang, and CAPA-MC President Ms. Xu Peng, all of whom attended to celebrate the winners. The event was hosted by Nathan Tian, the club’s current president, and Kenneth Shue, founder of the “Be a Zero Hero” project.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly, with each age group’s winners announced before their videos were played for the audience. The screenings sparked laughter, applause, and admiration for the contestants’ creativity and storytelling. The first prize winner in the adult category, Ms. Ma Jihong, captivated audiences with a video featuring an original song set to a classic tune, educating viewers on which types of plastic bags and films are recyclable. Alice Zhao, who won first prize in the middle school category, brought an entertaining and educational touch by portraying a white-bearded zoologist in her video, filmed in scenic natural settings. She illustrated how discarded plastic bags in forests and streams can endanger birds and wildlife. In the high school category, first prize went to Aidan Jones for his video, “Recycle Plastic Films in Montgomery County,” which incorporated rich data and engaging animations to demonstrate proper plastic bag and film recycling techniques.

Other award-winning submissions showcased remarkable originality. Eunia Zhong, the second prize winner in the high school category, crafted a stunning handmade animation to convey her message, while another group used a humorous skit to engage viewers. Each entry reflected the contestants’ diverse creative approaches to environmental advocacy.

Following the ceremony, winners posed for photographs with their certificates and prizes, joined by the award presenters. The prizes, carefully selected to promote sustainability, included home hydroponic growing systems, vegetable planting beds, compost bins, and outdoor water filters.

The event concluded with an informative presentation on the “Be a Zero Hero” project, inspiring attendees to take immediate action. Many expressed their commitment to start recycling plastic bags and films at home, demonstrating the powerful impact of community-driven environmental initiatives. Together, we can work toward a greener future, making Montgomery County’s waters clearer and its skies bluer.