SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 22, 2005
Contact: Aaron Kiesz 1-800-228-5254 or 605/ 773-3623

And the Results are in…
2005 Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest Winners Chosen

(Pierre) --- Students across the state got creative designing posters for this year’s Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest.

This year’s contest was open to all South Dakota students in grades 1-5 and was sponsored nationally by the National Council of State Garden Clubs and the USDA Forest Service. In South Dakota, the State Contest was sponsored by the State Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Keep South Dakota Green Association in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and the Black Hills National Forest.

The Smokey Bear poster contest encourages youth to understand the importance of preventing wildfires and the potential impacts that carelessly started wildfires can have on life, property and natural resources. Youth from across the state create their individual wildfire prevention concepts using Smokey Bear as a theme.

The Woodsy Owl poster contest teaches children about natural resource conservation. Woodsy’s message challenges America’s children to “Lend a Hand -- Care for the Land.” Since 1971, Woodsy Owl has been helping teachers and parents inspire youngsters about being good stewards of the land. 

Entries in this year’s contest were accepted in five competitive divisions. All entrants receive a certificate of achievement. First place winners also receive $25, second place winners receive $15 and third place winners receive $10.  First place winners move on to a regional contest, and those winners move on to the national poster contest. The 2005 state poster winners are:

First Grade Competition Division
First Place: Kade Hieb, Highmore, SD
Second Place: McKayla Pappens, Lennox, SD
Third Place: Dana LeVan, Tea, SD
Honorable Mention: Shae Knox, Highmore, SD

Second Grade Competition Division
First Place: Kay Dee Dawn Kirwan, Bonesteel/Fairfax, SD
Second Place: Levi Austin Davies, Yankton, SD
Third Place: Katie Groeblinghoff, Groton, SD

Third Grade Competition Division
First Place: Camille Sippel, Groton, SD
Second Place: Kiara Anderson, Rosholt, SD
Third Place: Tyann Hamlin, Highmore, SD
Honorable Mention: Hayden Houdek, Highmore, SD

Fourth Grade Competition Division
First Place: Rachel Carnes, Tea, SD
Second Place: Mesa Pfeifer, Groton, SD
Third Place: Erika Stack, Chancellor, SD

Fifth Grade Competition Division
First Place: Rachel Raysby, Chancellor, SD
Second Place: Meghan Dohman, Groton, SD
Third Place: Brittney Short, Highmore, SD
Honorable Mention: Alexa Schuring, Groton, SD

Pictures of the winning posters for grades 1-5 are available at:
http://www.state.sd.us/doa/forestry/

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