LEAVITTSBURG — A LaBrae High School freshman is one of 10 finalists out of 300 nationwide in a soap dispenser design contest that promotes the importance of hand hygiene.

SC Johnson Professional has announced that Maria “Mars B” Bustard is in the Top 10 for its “Happy Hands” contest, which helps students unlock their creativity while emphasizing the importance of hand hygiene in schools.

The public can vote on their favorite design at happyhands.scjp.com/en-us/cast-your-vote through Feb. 28.

Christina Burzynski, contest official with SC Johnson Professional, said winners from two categories will receive a $1,000 donation to their school, a $300 gift card and up to 1,000 1-liter manual soap / sanitizer dispensers featuring the student’s winning design for the school district.

The two contest categories include elementary, grades K-5 and middle / high school, grades 6-12.

SC Johnson Professional is a provider of industrial, institutional and health care users. Officials said the contest invites students to submit soap / sanitizer dispenser artwork highlighting the importance of hand hygiene.

“Minimizing the spread of germs within schools starts with reinforcing proper hand hygiene protocols,” said Bryant Davis, vice president and general manager of North America, SC Johnson Professional. “We were impressed by the creativity and effort the students put into communicating this idea through their designs, which made the selection process highly competitive.”

Bustard’s picture is a yellow duck in soap suds that says “Wash Your Wings.”

She said creating a design for the Happy Hands contest was part of a school assignment.

Bustard said she didn’t expect to make it to the finals. She came up with the design because she thought, “well, ducks are cool,” and she associated them with soap and water.

“I just thought it would make a good poster,” she said.

LaBrae Superintendent Anthony Calderone said it is great that the LaBrae schools are in the top 10 thanks to Bustard’s efforts.

“We support her initiative and effort. We are excited she has placed LaBrae in the top 10. The students and staff support her and have voted for her,” Calderone said.

Calderone said Bustard excels in whatever she does and with her artwork for the contest has given LaBrae national recognition.

Burzynski said the design in each category with the highest number of votes will win. Winners will be announced on or around April 1.   

Visitors to the website will be prompted to vote for their favorite design from among the finalists. During the voting period, visitors may vote one time per day.