First Place, 10th-12th Grades Alexis DeJesus Chapin High School	First Place, 4th-6th Grades Abrianna McClerklin Catawba Trail Elementary School

Columbia, SC— Seventeen students and three schools will receive awards in this year’s Conservation Poster Contest sponsored by Richland Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Student posters addressed the topic “We All Need Trees,” raising awareness about the importance of trees to people, wildlife, the environment, and the economy.  This year’s winners are:

K-1st Grades:

• First Place: Susana Jeanette Vandelay, Pontiac Elementary School
• Second Place: Katilin Martin, Joseph Keels Elementary School
• Third Place: Jubilee Donath, Harmony School
• Honorable Mention: Jonathan Romero, Joseph Keels Elementary School

2nd-3rd Grades:

• First Place: Abigail Lanier, Lake Carolina Elementary School
• Second Place: James Powell, Home School
• Third Place: Sarah Bobertz, A.C. Moore Elementary School
• Honorable Mention: Sahmya Biggs, Arden Elementary School

4th-6th Grades:

• First Place: Abrianna McClerklin, Catawba Trail Elementary School
• Second Place: Joseph Ravindran, Forest Lake Elementary School
• Third Place: Leah McMahon, Catawba Trail Elementary School
• Honorable Mention: Cody Sutton, Harmony School
• Honorable Mention: Gregory Heaton, Heathwood Hall

7th-9th Grades:

• First Place: Madeline Finley, Longleaf Middle School
• Second Place: Kimeri Boyles, Longleaf Middle School
• Third Place: Jacintha Ravindran, Dent Middle School

10th-12th Grades:

• First Place: Alexis DeJesus, Chapin High School

School Spirit Awards:

• Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School, Teachers: Janice Cave and Shannon Benson
• Heathwood Hall, Teacher: Dr. Todd Beasley
• Joseph Keels Elementary School, Teacher: Mitchell Bailey

Winners will receive cash prizes, and first place winners in each category will progress to the state competition sponsored by the SC Association of Conservation Districts.  Some posters will be displayed at the SC Forestry Commission. 

The Conservation Poster Contest is an annual education program sponsored by the Richland SWCD with support from the SC and National Associations of Conservation Districts.  For more information about this or other conservation education programs, contact Chanda Cooper at cooperc@rcgov.us. 

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Conservation Districts are political subdivisions of state government under the local direction of five-member Boards of Commissioners.  The Richland Soil and Water Conservation District promotes the wise use of natural resources for the benefit of the citizens of Richland County.

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