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Contest winners
Nezperce Garden Club sponsored the 2015 Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl poster contest at Prairie Elementary School. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs Inc. gave students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and basic environmental conservation principles through original drawings of Smokey the Bear or Woodsy Owl. Children from first through fifth grades are eligible to participate. This year 60 posters were judged from Prairie Elementary School. The winners from Prairie Elementary School were no entries from first grade; Kaylie Lockett, second grade; Taylor Riener, third grade; no entries from fourth grade; and Becca Jones, fifth grade. Each first place winner received a gold coin from the Nezperce Garden Club. Smokey gave out goodie bags to all the winners, donated by the U.S. Forest Service. The winning posters were entered into the state contest, competing against other winners in the state of Idaho. National contest winners will be announced at the National Garden Clubs Convention on May 12th through 18th in Louisville, Kentucky. Teachers of Prairie Elementary School that were recognized for encouraging their students participation in the contest are Allason Zenner, Andrea Brannan, Vikki Reiner, Shane Chapman, Colleen Sonnen and Jessica Vander Wall. Smokey Bear is recognized nationally and internationally as the symbol for fire prevention. The original Smokey Bear appeared in 1944. “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!” encourages personal responsibility for fire prevention. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches. Woodsy Owl is America's icon for the conservation of the environment. Since 1971, Woodsy has helped parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore, and care for the environment. He challenges children to "Lend a Hand, Care for the Land!" and to take an active role in caring for the land through recycling, reusing, and reducing waste, planting and caring for trees, using resources wisely, and not littering. Congratulations to all the 2015 National Garden Clubs Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest winners.
Becca Jones was the 5th grade winner at Prairie Elementary in the Smokie the Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest. photos by Leanne McMaster of the Nezperce Garden Club. All the winners are shown with Smokie the Bear. |
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