Suzanne Stewart
Staff Writer
The National Conservation District Association sponsors an annual Stewardship Week which includes a poster contest in which students use their creativity to help spread awareness about conservation.
The West Virginia Conservation District selects a winner from the copious number of posters designed by students from all over the state. The winning poster represents the state at the national competition level.
This year, the theme of Healthy Soil and Water inspired students at Marlinton Elementary School to create colorful and informative posters.
MES fourth grader Madison Jordan won first place and MES fifth grader Katie Jack won second.
Last week, Lynn Hutchison of the Greenbrier Conservation District and conservation supervisor Timothy VanReenan visited the school to congratulate the students on their achievements.
“We try to provide some educational resources to our school-aged kids, and then we try to get them involved to help us educate other people about the importance of taking care of our soil and water,” Hutchison said.
After the students received their certificates and a few goodies, VanReenan said he was pleased to have students participate in the contest.
“It took a lot of hard work,” he said. “The artistic ability is great compared to mine. Congratulations on a job well done, and thank you for being part of our contest this year.”
Jack and Jordan worked together with their teachers and occupational therapist Leslie Goodall to research soil and water conservation to create their winning posters.
MES special education assistant Nicole Dilley said the girls worked really hard and are excited to be recognized for their posters.
“This is a big deal for us,” Dilley said. “They each did their own. Leslie took this on. She said, ‘this is my thing.’”
Jordan is the daughter of George Jordan and Desiree Barnett, and Jack is the daughter of Karrie and Bernie Jack.
