Fillmore Elementary student takes grand prize in soil and water contest

Fillmore Elementary School fifth grade winners are (front) Meredith Trump, second place; Allison Bunton, second place; Fabi Garcia, third place; Evan Burton, third place; Austen Murrell, third place; and Brittaney Stevens, third place; (middle) Deanna Bishop, second place; Ashley Mershon, third place; Katlyn Rector, third place; Alicia Haywood, second place; Jessika Gibson, third place; and Jake Nissen, third place. Not pictured is first place winner Jenna Carmichael.

FILLMORE -- Jenna Carmichael from Fillmore Elementary took the overall grand prize in the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District conservation contest.

The NACD annually sponsors local Soil and Water Conservation Districts stewardship week. This year's theme was "Conservation Habits=Healthy Habitats" and ran April 26 though May 2.

The idea behind the contest is for local SWCDs to provide its communities with various activities to promote stewardship soil and water resources.

"The Putnam County SWCD sponsored a poster contest for students in grades four through six at the four county schools. Students were instructed to design and create a poster using this year's theme. They were to limit the theme to Indiana resources. Examples of wildlife, insects, birds, plants, butterflies, etc. were discussed. If it was extinct but had lived in Indiana that too could be used," explained Sue Crafton with the SWCD.

Students researched the topic of their choice and then reflected on what they learned through pictures and captions on a poster no larger than 24 by 36.

Two schools participated in the contest this year, Fillmore Elementary fifth grade, under teacher Jill McCammack and Bainbridge Elementary fourth grade, under teacher Laura Martin.

Three judges from the community and vested in resource management judged the posters on message clarity, conservation helping habitats, following oral directions, neatness and creativity of the poster, theme reflected as an Indiana habitat, poster size, information accuracy and personal information.

Bainbridge Elementary School fourth grade winners are (front) Camryn Gibson, third place; Lillian Rambis, second place; Brooklyn Probst, third place; participants Nicholas Brock, Tyler Thompson; (back) Caleb Duncan, Megan Scolaro, Alanna Nunez, Christian Pingleton and teacher Laura Martin.

Carmichael was awarded a $50 savings bond for her effort. Five second prizewinners were awarded $10 Wal-Mart gift cards. Ten third place winners were awarded large candy bars. Participation certificates were handed out to those not placing in the winning categories.

This poster contest is just one of the educational programs the SWCD has recently implemented. As part of the stewardship program, the contest is a valuable asset in helping students understand the impact we all have on our natural resources.

"Thank you to all the students and teachers who participated in the stewardship week poster contest this year," said Crafton.

For more information about the Putnam County Soil and Water Conservation District visit its Web site at www.putnam.iaswcd.org or call 653-5716, ext. 135.