CPS students win Earth Day art, ethics championships | The Locally Times
Columbia Public Schools students earned recognition in the 2026 Earth Day Art Contest, and the Rock Bridge High School Ethics Bowl Team secured a state championship.
Columbia Public Schools students recently achieved recognition in two distinct competitions, highlighting student accomplishments in both artistic expression and ethical reasoning. Several students were named winners in the 2026 Earth Day Art Contest, while the Rock Bridge High School Ethics Bowl Team earned the title of State Champions. ## Student Achievements The 2026 Earth Day Art Contest, hosted by the City of Columbia in partnership with Boone County and the University of Missouri-Columbia, recognized multiple CPS students for their artistic contributions. This collaboration aims to foster environmental stewardship among young people. Separately, the Rock Bridge High School Ethics Bowl Team demonstrated exceptional critical thinking, collaboration, and ethical reasoning skills during their State Championship victory, according to a February 24 Columbia Public Schools announcement. These achievements underscore the district's commitment to developing well-rounded students. ## Next Steps for Transparency While the Columbia Public Schools announcement celebrates these successes, it does not specify the names of the winning students in the Earth Day Art Contest or provide details about their artwork. The announcement also does not identify the members of the Rock Bridge High School Ethics Bowl Team or outline the specific challenges or topics they mastered to win the State Championship. Public records do not currently detail the specific roles, financial contributions, or organizational structures of the City of Columbia, Boone County, and the University of Missouri-Columbia in hosting the Earth Day Art Contest. Further information regarding the specific achievements, participants, and the backing from community partners would provide a more complete picture of these student accomplishments.