This year's theme, "The Environment and Global Climate Change: Our Planet. Our Education. Our Future." asked entrants to consider the ways in which environmental issues intersect with education and the future of the planet. Compositions addressed current issues relating to the environment and global climate change, as well as potential solutions.

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Awards
 

The winners of the Unifying Theme Writing Competition are:

     1st Place - Gloria Scott, "Global Citizenship: Social Responsibility"
     2nd Place - Lauren Martinez, "Go Green, Save Green, and Redeem Your Global Citizenship"
     3rd Place - Chris Wiewiora, "Tanka Natura"

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Submissions
 

"'Put a Little Love in Your Heart' - and Some Green Into Your Life" by Hayley Baum
 

"Hunting Bears" by Matt Burch
 

"In Her Loving Memory" by Connie Colon
 

"The Butterfly Effect of Environmental Negligence" by Natalie Costa
 

Untitled by Michael Gibby
 

Untitled by Kristene Gonzalez
 

"Global Issues Are Beefed Up" by Sabrina Goodwin
 

"Son of the Fortunate Warrior" by Travis Johnson
 

"A Letter Concerning Mother" by Jamie Joyce
 

"Global Citizenship: For the Good of Us All" by Jake Keller
 

"The Bird and the Tree" by Melissa Landy
 

"Nature Needs Love Too" by Rachel Lee
 

"Take a Stand to Claim Your Global Citizenship" by Quinton Obrochta
 

"Is the United States Deciding the Fate of Our World?" by Karlie Schaefer
 

"Our Song" by Marla Seedman
 

"Extinction is Forever" by Britney Shaw
 

"For Tomorrow" by Jacqueline Sheppard
 

"Urgency" by Katie Thayer
 

Untitled by Carissa VanDalen
 

"Global Climate Change – Is the United States to Blame?" by Susan Williams