By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The Public Education and Enhancement Committee of the Improvement of Solid Waste Management Project announced this week that the final stages for the 3R Mascot Contest is now underway.
PEEC said that the winning design for the mascot would become the nationwide symbol for Palau’s commitment towards a 3R society, which stands for reduce-reuse-recycle.
Some 24 out of 86 entries already made it to the second screening since the contest stated a month ago.
The PEEC said it is now in the process of selecting the best entries.
The winning entry will be announced during the PEEC meeting on the first week of February.
The winner is guaranteed a cash prize of $200 and earned the honor of having his/her design to be used in all solid waste management programs.
Earlier, requests were sent to different schools for them to have their students a chance to participate in the design contest with the deadline set Jan. 10.
A total of 86 entries from seven schools were submitted namely Mindszenty HS (30), Maris Stella (21), Koror ES (17), Ngaremlengui ES (9), Melekeok ES (7), Emmaus HS (1) and Palau HS (1).
The working group of the PEEC screened all the entries to validate each entry met the seven criteria for the contest.
These are that the design should represent the concept of the 3R with an explanation of the artwork, three or four solid colors, originality of the artist, size represented on 8.5 x 11 inches paper, participants are enrolled in grades five through 12, participants are full time students and entries are submitted not later than 4 p.m. Jan. 10.
Meanwhile the PEEC would like to thank all the schools for their participation and their support in disseminating the information to their students.