The Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest invites high school students from across the state of Utah and southern Idaho (which shares Utah’s airshed) to create visual Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to spread awareness about the importance of clean air. The contest challenges students to use art and marketing to promote clean air solutions.
Over the past 10 years, there have been thousands of entries from across Utah. The 10th annual Clean Air Marketing awards ceremony included a retrospective exhibit that showcased three winners from each year since the contest began in 2015. Among these winners were, Ridgeline senior Alivia Parker (2022 and 2023 winner) and contest judge Molica Chao (2020 winner). In an interview with USU Extension Sustainability, they discussed the competition’s impact on their lives.
From Participant to Judge: Molica’s Story
Molica Chao, a 2020 graduate from Granger High School, competed in the contest that same year. After graduating, she stayed involved and is now a judge. “I never thought that doing this competition could lead to my becoming a judge, which has been so fun… I’ve met so many people who are actively fighting for this cause,” said Chao.
As a graphic design student at Salt Lake Community College, Chao’s appreciation for the students’ work has increased. “Seeing the variety of art from all across Utah has been amazing. These students are so unbelievably creative… some are humorous, some are very informative,” said Chao.
She expressed her enthusiasm for pop culture being integrated into the contest. She mentioned the 2025 Sabrina Carpenter poster by Lila Mortensen from Ridgeline High School and the 2025 Wicked poster by Aria LaMalfa from Logan High School. Chao said, “It’s amazing to see how students use what they love to make a statement.”
From Assignment to Advocacy: Alivia’s Story
Alivia Parker, a Ridgeline High School senior, won the competition in 2022 and 2023. “I wanted to do something that younger generations would understand,” said Parker, “… I love using words to create a pun.” Her Harry Potter-themed poster won in 2023 and was later featured at the contest’s 10th anniversary awards ceremony at the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art. The exhibit is on display until Friday, February 28.
What started as an optional art assignment, grew into one of the highlights of Parker’s art career. She said, “I think it’s really interesting to see high schoolers making small changes just because of a random art assignment. It started as something simple, but it became something much bigger.”
Parker’s advice for students who are interested in participating in the contest is, “Find something you like and be creative with it. Whether it’s pop culture, books, or music—having fun with your art makes it more powerful.”
Educating the Next Generation on Air Quality
For many teens, getting a driver's license is an exciting milestone. But many don’t consider the environmental impact of their daily commutes. This contest was designed to educate students about the impact of air pollution. “I had never really thought about why we have ‘Bad Air Days’ until the contest. Learning about inversion and pollution in Utah really opened my eyes,” said Parker.
For Parker, this awareness led to meaningful changes in her daily routine. “I used to leave my car running while waiting in the parking lot,” said Parker, “But now, even if it’s cold, I turn it off and keep a blanket in my car instead.”
Both participants emphasized the importance of youth involvement in sustainability. They believe that education leads to action, helping young people make a lasting impact on environmental issues. “Sustainability isn’t about changing the world in one day—it’s about small habits that build up over time,” said Parker.
Encouraging the Next Generation of Artists and Activists
Co-founders Roslynn Brain McCann and Edwin Stafford continue to educate high schoolers across the state of Utah and encourage them to use their art to make an impact. This competition not only fosters creativity but also instills a lifelong commitment to improving Utah’s air quality. Chao’s advice to students is, “Just have fun with it. The best ideas come from passion, and you never know where it might lead you.” As this competition continues to inspire young artists and environmental advocates, students are encouraged to take part, use their creativity, and make a difference.
To learn more about the Utah High School Clean Air Marketing Contest, click the link below and follow us on social media @usuextensionsustainability.