AUSTIN ­­– The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality is proud to announce the 2022 Take Care of Texas Art Contest grand prize winner, Dhruv Nathan.

As a 7-year-old second grader, Dhruv Nathan is tied for the youngest ever grand prize winner in the eight years of holding this contest. Nathan, along with the other winners, was chosen out of 3,200 entries this year.

He will receive a computer, while his teacher and the remaining grade-level finalists will receive an iPad. Prizes are made possible from the art contest’s sponsor, Texas Chemical Council.

Nathan and his teacher, Rebecca Faubion, will be invited to the TCEQ banquet held in Austin, Texas, in May to be recognized.

The contest is a fun way for students from kindergarten to fifth grade to learn about protecting the environment and find a creative way to share this with others. Students submit artwork of how they, along with family and friends, help keep the air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste. All entries had to include the slogan “Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got” and portray positive ways Texans can help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste.

Grand Prize winner:

Dhruv Nathan, 7, second grade at Bluebonnet Montessori School of Lakeway, Austin, Texas

Kindergarten:

Weston Ireland, 6, Kay Franklin Elementary School, San Antonio, Texas

First Grade:

Chloe Crane, 7, Griffis Elementary School, Caddo Mills, Texas

Third Grade:

Mariaisabella Lozano, 9, homeschool in Plano, Texas

Fourth Grade:

Yin Hon Jonah Won, 9, Mandarin Immersion Magnet School, Houston, Texas

Fifth Grade:

Athena Hernandez, 11, Grapevine Elementary School, Grapevine, Texas

To view the winning artwork or learn more about the art contest, visit the Take Care of Texas Art Contest Winners page.

Take Care of Texas is a statewide campaign from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality that provides helpful information on Texas’ successes in environmental protection and encourages all Texans to help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, and reduce waste.