Kamille Bonecutter and Josie Hill (center), of the Haer Bears 4-H Club, recently won two of the five awards in a state-wide competition to raise awareness about recycling. Also pictured, Paul Hayes, chair of the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia which sponsored the contest, David Greer and Evelyn Fitzwater of the Mason County Solid Waste Authority, Lisa Arbogast, Haer Bears 4-H leader.

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POINT PLEASANT — Two 4-H members in Mason County have turned recycling projects into recognition, and cash, for themselves and their clubs.

Kamille Bonecutter and Josie Hill, both of the Haer Bears 4-H Club, recently won two of the five prizes up for grabs in the entire state. Haer Bears leader, Lisa Arbogast, said it was pretty amazing that not one but two of the top five winners in the state-wide competition came from the same club.

The West Virginia Recycles Youth Contest was sponsored by the Recycling Coalition of West Virginia - the contest consisted of five age categories.

Hill took top honors in her age category for constructing a sculpture/wind chime which hangs from a piece of wood with recycled twine. On the twine are items like paper clips, screws, washers, recycled Christmas bells, old keys and steel food can tops.

Bonecutter took home top honors in her age group with a pointillism technique painting of Earth reshaped into a heart with a message that says “Get the ‘point’ love the earth and recycle.” Bonecutter used old crayons to create the mosaic.

This week, both Hill and Bonecutter were presented certificates and $150 each for their creations by Paul Hayes, chair of the Recycling Coalition of W.Va. and Carol Throckmorton of the West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board. Also there to present the girls their award, David Greer and Evelyn Fitzwater of the Mason County Solid Waste Authority. In addition, $350 was presented to the Haer Bears Club from the Recycling Coalition of W.Va.

Hayes talked about the importance of recycling and commended Hill and Bonecutter for their work, giving the girls a chance to talk about how they made their projects.

The Recycling Coalition of W.Va. is a non-profit environmental organization whose mission is to promote the effective and sustainable reduction, reuse and recycling of materials otherwise destined for disposal. The Recycling Coalition pursues these goals through the promotion of purchasing products made with recycled content material; by coordinating and facilitating activities relative to recycling; by fostering communications among organizations, government agencies and individuals through the sharing of ideas and resources.

For a closer look at all the winning entries, including those from Hill and Bonecutter, go to www.wvrecycles.com.