CENTRAL VALLEY – Fourteen young artists from across the region used their creativity to advocate for cleaner air, including four young artists from Woolake, Sanger, Orosi and Tulare.
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District is highlighting the artistic talents of the 14 students by featuring their works in the newly released 2025 Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar. According to a press release from the air district, the colorful, bilingual calendar is designed to educate and inspire the public to adopt clean-air practices.
The calendar for the upcoming year was unveiled during a special recognition at the District’s Governing Board meeting on Dec. 19.
The Healthy Air Living Kids’ Calendar is distributed free of charge to schools, community groups, healthcare facilities, churches, civic organizations and individuals throughout the Valley. Calendars are also available for pick-up at district offices in Fresno at 1990 E. Gettysburg Ave., Modesto at 4800 Enterprise Way and Bakersfield at 34936 Flyover Court.
This marks the 28th edition of the calendar featuring student artists. The artists range from kindergarten to 12th grade and are selected for their creative contributions that emphasize the importance of reducing air pollution and living a “Healthy Air Life.”
The cover of this year’s calendar, titled “Help Plant Hope,” was illustrated by Anali Benavides, a 12th-grader from Woodlake.
The district’s press release announced the following kids and artwork featured in this year’s calendar:
- Anali Benavides, 12th grade, Woodlake – Cover artist “Help plant hope”
- Taronvir Shergill, 7th grade, Sanger – “Be part of the solution, not the pollution. Shred it so you won’t regret it. Mow it clean to keep it green. Download the Valley Air app today!”
- Yuliana Perez Reyna, 8th grade, Orosi – “Turn off your car when waiting in the drive-thru to keep air clean.”
- Larry P. Lawson IV, 1st grade, Tulare – “I like soccer with clean air.”
- Madison, Kindergarten – “Green = Play”
- Blake Solario, 8th grade, Corcoran – “Switch to Electric”
- Camila Benomar, 4th grade, Merced – “Do your part to keep our air clean!”
- Marcela Franco, 8th grade, Riverbank – “Plant a tree and be bad air free!”
- Carolina Montez, 12th grade, Bakersfield – “Instead of driving, try taking the bus, walking, biking or carpooling.”
- Santiago Medina, 5th grade, Hanford – “Charging up for clean air.”
- Marlow Kalbach, 3rd grade, Stockton – “Walking is better.”
- Atzin Virun Garcia, 6th grade, Bakersfield – “Help, don’t destroy. Use electric cars. Avoid burning things. Avoid the use of aerosols. Clean your air conditioning unit.”
- Kymorah Lytle, 4th grade, Clovis – “Be a part of the solution, not part of the pollution. Go electric!”
- Emily, 4th grade, Madera – “Share a ride to work or school”
Calendar supplies are limited, according to the district, and anyone interested in obtaining one can request a calendar by emailing public.education@valleyair.org or calling 559-230-6000.
EDITOR’S NOTE: A previous version of this article was updated on Dec. 18, 2024 at 10:11 a.m. PST to correct the title of the cover art to “Help plant hope.”
