Oklahoma students shine in ODOT’s Trash-Free Poster Contest for Route 66 cleanup

Nearly 4,000 Oklahoma students turned artistic talent into advocacy in the 2025 Trash Poster Contest, hosted by the Oklahoma Department of Transportation.

Now, 14 winners from across the state are being honored for their creative messages that promote a cleaner, litter-free Route 66—just in time for the road’s 100th birthday in 2026.

Young Artists Shine in Green Country

1. Kindergarten–2nd Grade:
2. 1st Place: Mayleigh Timmereck, Pittsburgh County — ‘Owl give a hoot if you take the route and don’t pollute.’
3. 2nd Place: Pearl Price, Kay County — ‘Don’t trash the view for old Mr. Blue on Route 66.’
4. 3rd–5th Grade:
5. 1st Place: Alivia Yeager, Adair County — ‘Keep Oklahoma Clean.’
6. 2nd Place: Alexandra Lin, Tulsa County — ‘Bag up your trash! Keep OK clean and green!’

Contest Recognizes Statewide Winners

In total, 14 students from across Oklahoma were selected. Their artwork will be published in the official 2026 ODOT calendar, which is distributed statewide.

Special recognition went to Jorge Remis Elias of Marietta High School in Love County, whose artwork was named Promotional Poster of the Year. His piece, “Oklahoma Clean and Pristine Route 66,” will appear as a featured pull-out poster in the calendar.

Prizes for Students and Teachers

Winners will receive:

1. Cash awards
2. Certificates and T-shirts
3. Laminated copies of their artwork

Their teachers were also awarded, receiving classroom supply vouchers and two-night stays at Oklahoma State Parks, courtesy of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department.

Why It Matters

Litter costs Oklahoma millions:

1. $6 million annually from ODOT to clean state highways
2. $1 million from the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
3. Thousands of volunteer hours during cleanup campaigns like the Great American Cleanup

‘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.

What’s Next

Free calendars will be available starting December 2025, distributed to state agencies, schools and businesses.

Next year’s contest begins Dec. 1, 2025

Submissions due Jan. 31, 2026

For full contest info and to view winning posters, visit oklahoma.gov/odot/tpc.