By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Gentry Blau Llecholch, a fourth year student at Mindszenty High School, was adjudged winner of the 3R Mascot Design Contest, a project initiated by the Public Education and Enhancement Committee of the Improvement of Solid Waste Management Project in Palau.
Llecholch bested 24 other contestants who made it to the second screening. Earlier, a total of 86 entries came from seven different schools, including 30 from Mindszenty.
The theme of the contest is to portray the main goal of the solid waste management program of Palau, which are the 3Rs – reduce, re-use and recycle.
Llecholch’s colorful comic entry shows a boxer with his gloves and his right arm up and his left arm at his waist. His body and head is portrayed by a trashcan and wears a belt with the word 3r Hero.
Llecholch said his concept is to inspire the young to be more conscious in their trash and become disciplined citizens.
The winning mascot design is now the nationwide symbol for Palau’s commitment to become a 3R society.
For his effort, Llecholch was awarded a prize of $200, which he said he would donate some to the school Arts Club and Movie Club of which he is a member.
He said he would also give half of the prize to his parents.
Back in 2003, Llecholch art works were already part of the Arts and Tides Calendar when he was an 8th Grade student at Melekeok Elementary School.
Aside from drawing, his other hobbies include playing the guitar and basketball game.
Llecholch received his prize during a simple awarding rite on Tuesday morning at Mindszenty campus grounds in the presence of PEEC staff led by Donald Dengokl of EQPB and JICA Expert Takahiro Kamishita.