2011 Conservation Poster Contest winners announced

DOVER (Dec. 20, 2011) - The New Castle, Kent and Sussex Conservation Districts recently sponsored their annual conservation poster contest. This year’s theme was “Forests for People: More Than You Can Imagine!” A total of 119 posters were judged in the following grade categories: K-1, 2-3,   4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. First, second and third place winners in each category received a prize valued at $50, $25 and $15 respectively from the conservation district in their home county. Listed below are the first place winners from each county.

Grade Level       New Castle County                    Kent County                              Sussex County

K – 1                N/A                                          Elijah Moorman                          Rachel Mordes

                                                            McIlvaine Early Learning Ctr.       Frederick Douglas ES

2 – 3                 Erica Mitishov                            Anias Haigler                             Dorothy McCormick

            Heritage Elementary                   Lake Forest South Elementary    McCarvill Academy       

4 – 6                 Yusuf Kose                               Toniyah Alston                           Jenni Ramirez Villagomez

            Kose Homeschooling                 Towne Point Elementary            Georgetown Middle

7 – 9                 Alexis Marshall                          N/A                                           Mikhaila Deonarine

            Everett Meredith Middle                                                             Georgetown Middle       

10 – 12             N/A                                          Saleh Hamad                             N/A

                                                            Caesar Rodney HS                   

After judging by the local conservation districts, the first place winners in each grade level were forwarded to the Delaware Association of Conservation Districts (DACD) for judging at the state level. The following students’ posters were selected as the state winners in their respective grade categories and have been forwarded to the National Association of Conservation Districts for judging at the national level. 

Grade Level     State Winner 

K – 1                Rachel Mordes

2 – 3                Dorothy McCormick

4 – 6                Jenni Ramirez Villagomez

7 – 9                Alexis Marshall

10 – 12            Saleh Hamad

This year’s judges included Melinda Carl, former chief of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control’s (DNREC) public affairs office; Christy Shaffer, a professional illustrator and graphics specialist with DNREC; and Beth Krumrine, a DNREC environmental scientist who is also an amateur sculptor and painter on the side. The judges were impressed with some good drawing techniques they noticed and were happy to see that teachers are encouraging students to share their artistic talents.

“I am so glad to see that teachers are encouraging their students to participate in this annual art event. The topic of the environment is going to be an ever increasing concern for the future,” said Ms. Krumrine. “These students will become tomorrow’s leaders, and environmental awareness will be key as it is now. I think that expressing their message through art is a creative way to get them thinking about some of the challenges ahead.”  

Each year the conservation poster contest provides kindergarten through 12th grade students an opportunity to convey their thoughts about soil, water and related natural resource issues through art. It also highlights the educational outreach efforts of conservation districts and their state associations, auxiliaries and agencies. The contest follows the annual Stewardship theme which is sponsored by the National Association of Conservation Districts.

This year’s theme, “Forests for People: More Than You Can Imagine!” reminds us that we all have a connection to the trees in the forest. Forests play a critical role in providing clean water and healthy wildlife habitat, as well as jobs for our citizens and products that we use every day. And they provide children with the perfect atmosphere to learn about the great outdoors.

For more information on the poster contest or conservation district programs, please contact Michelle Jacobs at 302-739-9135 or michelle.jacobs@state.de.us.

Vol. 41, No. 476