Texas middle and high school students are vying for up to $2,500 in scholarships through an environmental video contest that challenges them to create 30-second clips promoting conservation.
The Take Care of Texas campaign has selected 12 finalists from across the state, with public voting open through January 25.
The contest represents a creative approach to environmental education, offering students tangible rewards for spreading awareness about protecting Texas’s natural resources. Winners could significantly offset educational expenses while developing multimedia skills.
Students were tasked with producing engaging videos featuring the slogan “Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got,” or incorporating the campaign’s logo. The videos should maintain audience attention while delivering a persuasive environmental message.
High school winners will receive college scholarships ranging up to $2,500, while middle school victors can earn gift cards worth up to $800 for camera equipment. Waste Management of Texas, Inc. is sponsoring the prizes.
Two of the six high school finalists are from North Texas: Karen Telenko from the School for the Talented and Gifted at Townview Magnet Center in Dallas, and Yein Lee from Paschal High School in Fort Worth. The competition also features students from Cypress, Lovelady, Schertz, and El Paso.
Middle school contestants represent diverse educational backgrounds, including Indiana Hopkins, a homeschooled student from Kemp. Other finalists hail from schools in Lubbock, Houston, and San Antonio.
Public voting determines which three videos from each age category advance to the final round. Individuals can cast one vote per category through the campaign’s website before the January 25 deadline.
Younger students will also have the opportunity to participate in a conservation-themed contest. The Take Care of Texas Kids Art contest for grades K-5, sponsored this year by the Texas Chemistry Council, kicked off last week.
Entries must be submitted on or before March 15, 2026, at 5 p.m. and must focus on this year’s theme of water conservation. Grand prize winners in each grade group category will receive a laptop; runners-up will receive an iPad. More details about the contest are available here.
Take Care of Texas launched in 2007 under the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality. The statewide initiative provides resources for environmental protection in homes, workplaces, and communities across Texas.