Keep Louisiana Beautiful Video Contest | Community Spirit

Keep Louisiana Beautiful, the state's non?profit organization dedicated to litter prevention and waste reduction, announced a partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Office of Motor Vehicles for "Pick It Up Or Pay It Out" video contest. The contest is designed to engage Louisiana's youth to take action in the fight against litter and illegal dumping.

Video Contest Highlights:

• Louisiana residents who are 12 years of age or older and are currently enrolled as full?time students

are eligible to participate.

• Video entries must be at least 30 seconds, but no more than two (2) minutes in length.

• Finalists will be selected based on creativity and ability to ignite passion in others; impact on the

audience by its ability to change attitudes and behaviors about littering.

• Deadline to submit a video entry is Monday, April 18, 2011 at 5 p.m.

• The top six finalists' video submissions will be posted on the Keep Louisiana Beautiful Facebook fan

page and the public will vote to determine the contest winner.

• Winners will be announced Friday, May 6, 2011.

• One winner from three categories (middle school, 6 – 8 grade; high school, 9 – 12 grade; postsecondary)

will receive a grand prize of $500.

• The winning videos will also be featured on closed?circuit TV monitors in 84 Office of Motor Vehicle

locations statewide.

A complete list of contest rules, regulations and information can be found on the Keep Louisiana Beautiful at www.keeplouisianabeautiful.org.

"As I travel the state I continue to see trash along our Interstates, state highways and local roads. We are attempting to market Louisiana as an adventure travel destination, and we must become more aggressive in our efforts to combat this problem," Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne said. "We are a state of great natural beauty that should not be marred by carelessness and disregard."

"We want to convey to the newest generation of motor vehicle drivers, in particular, that littering is unacceptable, illegal and just downright wrong," said Commissioner Nick Gautreaux, Office of Motor Vehicles.

Leigh Harris, executive director of Keep Louisiana Beautiful commented, "Litter costs Louisiana taxpayers well over $40 million annually. By educating our state's youngest minds on the ecological and economic effects of littering, we believe one day we can all enjoy a litterfree Louisiana."