Young Texans are picking up their cameras and getting creative for a shot at thousands in scholarship money — all while promoting environmental conservation across the Lone Star State.
The annual Take Care of Texas Video Contest has returned, challenging students in grades 6-12 to produce 30-second videos highlighting positive environmental actions. Twelve finalists — split between middle and high school categories — have been selected from schools across Texas, with public voting now open to determine the winners.
Public Voting Underway
Got a favorite? The public voting period runs from January 14 through January 25, 2026, closing at 11:59 p.m. Texans can cast one vote per person in each category, choosing from six finalist videos in both the high school and middle school divisions, according to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality announcement.
The stakes are significant for these young filmmakers. Waste Management of Texas, Inc., the contest’s sponsor, is providing scholarships of up to $2,500 for high school winners, while middle school champions can earn gift cards worth up to $800 for camera equipment, as detailed on the scholarship information page.
What makes a winning video? Each submission must be exactly 30 seconds long and showcase positive ways Texans can protect the environment. “Videos must portray positive ways Texans can help keep our air and water clean, conserve water and energy, or reduce waste. Videos must include the slogan ‘Take Care of Texas. It’s the only one we’ve got,'” the official contest rules state.
From Submission to Selection
The competition opened for entries on September 8, 2025, with the submission window closing on December 5, 2025. During that period, middle and high school students across Texas crafted public service announcement-style videos demonstrating creative approaches to environmental stewardship, as outlined on the contest website.
Now, with finalists selected, the fate of these young environmentalists rests in the public’s hands. The top three videos in each category will receive prizes, with voting continuing through Sunday, January 25th at 11:59 p.m., according to the contest webpage.
Behind this creative competition is a serious mission. Take Care of Texas is a statewide environmental campaign established in 2007 by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). The initiative aims to encourage Texans to make environmentally conscious choices in their homes, workplaces, and communities, as explained on the organization’s website.
How effective are these student-produced PSAs? That’s exactly what the contest aims to discover — harnessing the creative energy of young Texans to spread environmental awareness through their unique perspectives and digital skills.
For these students, the contest represents more than just a chance at prizes — it’s an opportunity to make their voices heard on environmental issues while developing valuable communication skills that could serve them well beyond the competition.
With the clock ticking toward the January 25th deadline, these young filmmakers now wait to see if their 30-second environmental messages will resonate with voters across Texas — and potentially launch them toward educational opportunities that could shape their futures.
