Sept. 8, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 405

For more information contact Jennifer Holmes, Education Coordinator, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, 302-739-3436 or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos available by contacting Public Affairs.

Youth Drawing Contest Winners Announced for Thank You Delaware Bay
Art on Display at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve

DOVER, Del. – Eight young artists were recognized at a special reception at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve for their award winning artwork in the Thank You Delaware Bay youth drawing contest. The artists were among seventy-one students, ages 6 to 16, who entered the contest and demonstrated their creativity and talents by designing an original public service advertisement that promotes the beauty and amenities of the Delaware Bay.

“We were delighted that so many young people designed ads expressing why they are thankful for the Delaware Bay,” said Sarah W. Cooksey, Delaware Coastal Program administrator. “The students created such beautiful and unique artwork it was difficult for our judges to decide the top prizes. Today’s reception allows us to recognize our winners and showcase the artwork of all the contestants. In the coming weeks, we plan to post not only the winning entries, but several of the most creative ads on the Thank You Delaware Bay website.”

The contest was developed to involve students in Delaware Bay stewardship and encourage an increased understanding of all the bay has to offer – food, jobs, history, recreation and precious natural resources. Artwork was created with a pencil, crayon, marker or paintbrush drawn or painted on a frame template.

Winners were selected from three age groups: 6-8 years, 9-12 years, and 13-16 years. All winners received an award certificate and the ads will be featured on the Thank You Delaware Bay website. The first place ad for each group will be published in a local newspaper and the winners received a horseshoe crab pin and a $75 gift certificate. Second prize winners received a horseshoe crab pin and a $25 gift certificate, and third prize winners received a horseshoe crab pin.

6-8 years old

• First prize:  Haley Scott, age 7, Felton. Haley designed a colorful ad – Thank you for the Fish and Crabs – that promoted fishing in the Delaware Bay.

• Second prize (tie):  Wyatt Cannon, age 6, Dover. Thank You for the Boats, included a boat sailing on the bay.
  
  Malon Holmes, age 8, Smyrna. Fish and sharks living in the Delaware Bay were featured in Malon’s ad – Thank you for all Kinds of Fish.

• Third prize:  Rosalynn Gray, age 7, Harrington. Rosalynn drew jellyfish in her ad  – Thank You for the Jellyfish.

 12 years old

• First prize:  John Boyer, Jr., age 11, Felton. Thank You for the Crabbin’–n Clammin, a colorful depiction of children crabbing and clamming on the bay.

• Second prize:  Kylie Arndt, age 10, Felton. Kylie drew a campsite along the bay for her Thank You for the Camping ad.

• Third prize:  Cassidy Ramsey, age 11, Dover. Thank You for the Great Water and Sunset featured a beautiful sunset.

13-16 years old (one entry)

• First prize:  Maegan Soll, age 15, Dover. Thank you for the Horseshoe Crab Eggs, a drawing of horseshoe crabs on the beaches of Delaware Bay.

Thank You Delaware Bay is a partnership among DNREC’s Delaware Coastal Programs, The Nature Conservancy and the Partnership for the Delaware Estuary that was organized to educate and promote the importance of the bay in our region. The campaign slogan, The Delaware Bay Takes Care of Us. Let’s Return the Favor, encourages actions to protect the bay’s health and resources. The program is made possible, in part, through funding from the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, through a grant from the Delaware Coastal Programs with funding from the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Thank You Delaware Bay artwork will remain on display at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve (DNERR), 818 Kitts Hummock Road, east of the John Dickinson Plantation near Dover. The exhibit is open to the public 8 a.m. – 4 p.m., Monday, Sept. 8 through Thursday, Sept. 11. For more information on DNERR, visit DNREC’s web site, www.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Division of Soil and Water Conservation” and click on “Estuary Research.”

Visit www.thankyoudelawarebay.org  to learn more about Thank You Delaware Bay and how you can protect the bay or call 302-739-3436.