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The voting has officially ended for Staten Islanders to select their favorite homemade PSA to fight litter and keep Staten Island clean. The winner, with 49% percent of the vote, was Aria Mutkoski for her PSA entitled, “Selfish.” Last month, Staten Island Borough President James S. Oddo announced the contest, asking Staten Islanders to create their own anti-litter videos, most of which were made using camera phones.
The Top 6 were made by students from IS 72, Josh Pesin, Aria Mutkoski, James Demiro, Evan Batov, and Jarryl Collier. In total, 8,837 votes were cast. “Selfish” won with 49 percent, or 4,355 votes. In second place was I.S. 72’s “Comet Star: The Pack of Gum,” with 27 percent of the vote, or 2,375 votes; and in third place was Josh Pesin’s “Don’t let litter get out of control,” with 22 percent or 1,934 votes. “All of these PSAs were really impressive and really focused on a clean Staten Island,” said Borough President Oddo. “They displayed community spirit, which was a pleasure to watch. Now, the public has spoken. Aria Mutkoski’s PSA got the most votes and is our winner.” Aria, 14, is finishing her freshman year at Staten Island Technical High School and resides in Annadale. She made her PSA for two reasons – at her teacher’s urging, and because she knows that litter is a problem on Staten Island. “I took part in the contest not expecting anything out of it,” she said. “Little did I know that I'd make top six or even win! The concept came from walking by a playground near a friend's house and overhearing a little boy complaining to his mother about the garbage in the sand box. I knew it was time for a change.” As the contest winner, Aria has been invited to participate in an anti-littering poster campaign that the Borough President plans to launch this summer. Learn more about the Borough President's Clean Up SI initiative at StatenIslandUSA.com/cleanupsi On Saturday, June 7, the Staten Island Mall’s Center Court was literally hopping with the energy of fitness buffs, interested community members, nutrition experts and healthcare professionals, during Borough President James Oddo’s first health and wellness fair. The event was designed to be a “stop and browse” of fitness modalities, nutrition and health screenings. In fact, hundreds of people had their blood pressure and blood sugar checked. In addition, a stage was alive with performances on wellness and fitness demonstrations. Anti-smoking, anti-alcohol messages were shared by the actors of the Sundog Theatre and the Susan E. Wagner High School Theater Department. Also – a huge draw for shoppers- were the fitness demos from NYC ShapeUP, JCC Zumba and the many fitness machines where folks got a hands on try thanks to Dr. John Piazza and his staff – pseudo surfing, Pilates and more were introduced to fitness novices who took an interest. The event was done in collaboration with the season’s opening of the green market at the mall. “I’m pleased that the event drew so many people,” said Oddo, who took a turn on SI BootCamp’s pull up bar. “If one person changes their lifestyle as a result of this, it was a success.” |
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Please contact the Department of Communications. Allison Cohen Director of Communications and External Affairs 718-816-2136 acohen@statenislandusa.com |
