Green Leaders Competition Winners

The WMSBF Future Green Leaders competition, an essay and video competition for sustainability-minded West Michigan students combining the forum’s long-standing scholarship and essay contests was held during the April meeting.  Participants were asked to respond to questions about their essay and their views on environmental concerns by a three-member judge’s panel, composed of Shelley Irwin from WGVU-FM, Phil Greene of Grand Rapids Community College and Justin Swan of Organicycle.
Competition finalists included Jamie Sansone of Aquinas College, who wrote about her efforts in building awareness about preserving apiaries on and off campus, and Kirk Rasmussen of Grand Valley State University, who highlighted his works in filmmaking, communications and environmental documentary work.  Judges selected Youseff Darwich, also of GVSU, who wrote on his efforts in promoting functional ecology,sustainable landscape design, and responsible agriculture as president of GVSU’s Farm Club. Darwich was named the 2014 West Michigan Sustainable Business Fellow and received the $3,000 first-place scholarship.  All three finalists received a $1,000 scholarship as well.
The video of the awards competition can be found above.  A full write-up on the April event can be found here.  
Competition entries can be read at the following:
Winner: Untitled
Youssef Darwich
Grand Valley State University
Senior
Major: Natural Resource Management and Plant Biology
 
Finalist: Bee The Change
Jamie Sansone
Aquinas College
Senior
Major: Sustainable Business
 
Green Leaders Video Entry
Kirk Rasmussen
Grand Valley State University
Senior
Majors: Documentary Film Production and Environmental Studies