DOVER — On Friday, environmentalists, students and state lawmakers will gather at Legislative Hall to celebrate the passage of a bill that named the loggerhead as Delaware’s state sea turtle.

Thousands of students across the state assisted in the selection of the state sea turtle, contributing to the drafting of Senate Bill 303. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Stephanie Hansen, D-Middletown, who will host the celebration on the East Steps at Legislative Hall. The event is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m., and will be attended by Rep. Debra Heffernan, D-Bellefonte, Lt. Gov. Bethany Hall-Long, Delaware Department of Education Secretary Dr. Mark Holodick, Suzanne Thurman of the Marine Education, Research & Rehabilitation Institute, among others.

An awards presentation will be held to honor students who placed in the essay and art contests within the Delaware sea turtle project, as well as the unveiling of a mural to honor the selection.