NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Students Win National Recycling Contest with Focus on Battery Safety
Columbia, SC (May 14, 2026)—
The South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA), and the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA), with JASON Learning, today announced the winners of the second Annual South Carolina Youth Recycling Contest, a statewide competition that challenges K-12 students to tackle real-world recycling issues through public education campaigns.
As battery use surges across consumer electronics and electric vehicles, this year’s theme, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, reflects a growing safety challenge and how the recycled materials industry is stepping up to solve it.
Winners were recognized at a celebration hosted by SCASA on May 14, 2026.
The 2025 South Carolina Contest winners include an Overall Poster and Overall Video Winners, plus 6 grade level winners across the poster and video category.
Overall Winners
Vayda LeMere, eleventh grader from Clover High School, in Clover, SC, is the Overall Poster Winner. Vayda’s poster, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, explored the risks and benefits of recycling batteries, plus recycling tips for communities without battery recycling programs.
Cheyenne Joshi, twelfth grader from Clover High School, in Clover, SC, is the Overall Video Winner. Cheyenne’s video, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, explained the risks and benefits of recycling batteries, through an innovative and original song.
Both Cheyenne and Vayda were recognized as the National Contest Winners as well.
Grade K-4 Winners
Mkinli Hardware, fourth grader from Lee Central Elementary School, in Bishopville, SC, is the Grade K-4 Poster Winner. Mkinli’s poster, “Recycling Batteries”, included creative imagery and important facts about recycling batteries, and how to do so safely. Mkinli’s poster was also awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the National Contest.
Kayvionna Gilbert and Anthony Hough, fourth graders from Lee Central Elementary School, in Bishopville, SC, are the Grade K-4 Video Winners. Their video showcased the risks and rewards of battery recycling through hand-drawn images and stop-motion animation. Kayvionna and Anthony were also recognized as National Finalists!
Grade 5-8 Winners
Dhaani Dyal, fifth grader from Forest Lake Elementary School, in Columbia, SC is the Grade 5-8 Poster Winner. Dhaani’s poster, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, framed recycling batteries effectively as a new mindset to embrace.
Legend Tevis and Mitchell Jones, fifth graders from Forest Lake Elementary School, in Columbia, SC, are the Grade 5-8 Video Winners. Their video was flashy and catchy, sure to be scroll-stopping, and effectively explained the risks and rewards of battery recycling. Legend and Mitchell’s video submission was also awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the National Contest.
Grade 9-12 Winners
Melany Baez Fallas, twelfth grader from Clover High School, in Clover, SC, is the Grade 9-12 Poster Winner. Melany’s poster, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, used data-driven imagery and compelling visuals to explain the importance of battery recycling. Melany’s poster was also awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the National Contest.
Connor Matthew Warren and Makenzie Faith Seaman, twelfth graders from Clover High School, in Clover, SC, are the Grade 9-12 Video Winners. Their video, “Recycling Batteries: Hidden Risk, Uncovered Reward”, used their high school setting to explain battery recycling methods and how others can get involved in safe battery practices. Connor and Faith’s video was also awarded an “Honorable Mention” in the National Contest.
This is the second year of the South Carolina state contest, garnering 35 submissions from more than 40 students. South Carolina and Connecticut now operate their own contests that parallel the National Contest and extend its reach and impact.
You can see the winning entries, as well as submissions that received Honorable Mention notations on the JASON Learning website.
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About JASON Learning
JASON Learning is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit transforming science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education through real-world STEM curricula, project-based learning experiences for PreK-12 students, and high-quality professional development for teachers. JASON’s mission is to “inspire and educate students everywhere through real science and exploration.” To learn more about JASON, visit https://jason.org/.
About The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA)
The Recycled Materials Association (ReMA) represents more than 1,700 companies in the U.S. and 40 countries around the globe. Based in Washington, D.C., ReMA provides advocacy, education, safety and compliance training, and promotes public awareness of the vital role recycled materials play in the U.S. economy, global trade, the environment and sustainable development.
For more information contact: Rachel Bookman, rbookman@recycledmaterials.org
About the South Carolina Association of School Administrators (SCASA)
The South Carolina Association of School Administrators was founded in 1975. The mission of SCASA is to be the voice and advocate of quality public education for all students and provides leadership development and support for school leaders. We strive to have great leaders in every school and district in South Carolina who ensure the success of every student. To learn more about SCASA, visit: https://www.scasa.org/info
