Congratulations to the Seaquam students who took the top three prizes in the Photography Category (Age 15-18) in this year's 2026 YRE Canada competition .
First place went to Agaazvir, Bowen and Gurmehar (The Green Team) with their photo entitled Life for the soul, nectar for the body.
The statement describing their photo states:
As time displays its everlasting effects, the deprivation of food becomes ever so apparent. According to Food Banks Canada, approximately 25.5% of Canadians are living in food insecure households, accounting for over 10 million Canadians. While it seems like a tough nut to crack, there is an apparent solution: confronting systemic neglect. Our picture displays systemic neglect and a glaring disconnect between the mindset of the needy and the wealthy. While the poor live supply to supply, the wealthy remain inconsiderate, displaying no remorse to those impecunious. When will we decide enough is enough and stand against the system?
Second place went to Gurmehar and Tanya with their photo entitled Harvesting Hope!
This picture symbolizes the possibility for growth, even when all hope seems lost. We often assume that a wrinkly and sprouting potato is inedible, and in first world countries, that means it is ready to discard. However, even old and conventionally unattractive food like the one seen in this photo, can give way to life. If planted, this sprouting potato can yield anywhere from 5 to 10 more potatoes, providing future sustenance. Though seemingly small, this potato plays just as important of a role in its natural ecosystems as the colossal coniferous trees seen behind it. Similarly, world hunger and the environmental impacts of large scale agriculture can be combatted by respecting and critically applying nature's existing balances.
Third place went to Suzie and Megan (Planters) with their photo Growing Through the Pollution of Earth!
The statement describing their photo states:
There's a tiny green plant growing next to some plastic trash in the dirt. It's trying to grow but the trash is all around it and makes it especially hard. Nature keeps growing but the harmful plastics stay there for years. Over time this causes harm to our ecosystem and animals. This image highlights the contrast between natural growth and human impact. It shows how pollution changes the land we live on and forces nature to adapt instead of thrive. Every piece of plastic we leave behind disrupts life, reminding us that protecting nature is a responsibility we all share.
More than 500,000 students in 44 countries have been involved in the YRE program, where over 19,000 photos, articles, and videos are submitted to annual national competitions every year. The top three winners in all categories (Article, Photo, and Video) for both the Age 11-14 and Age 15-18 competitions are featured on the YRE website and will be announced nationally through EcoSchools.ca, the EcoSchools newsletter, and social media channels.
This year's 1st place winners will receive a prize package from National Geographic and will become Canada's official entry in the 2026 International YRE competition http://www.yre.global/ competing against winners from other nations. The YRE international competition winners will be announced later this year from the competition headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark.
For all 2026 National Winners, please visit: https://ecoschools.ca/yre/winners-2026/
