The Dare County Soil and Water Conservation District had its eleventh-annual fifth-grade bookmark contest recently, in which students use artwork to show their understanding of conservation work in Dare County.

Each year, fifth-graders learn about the importance of conservation of natural resources and environmental stewardship in Dare County. Students illustrate what they have learned, whether that may be picking up their pets’ waste, reducing pollutants from entering waterways or not littering. First-, second- and third-place place winners for each school were selected by the district’s Board of Supervisors.

Ann Daisey works in a shared position for the North Carolina Coastal Federation’s Wanchese office and for Dare County Soil and Water Conservation District. Erin Fleckenstein, coastal scientist and manager at that same office, is on the board for the district.

The first-place winners’ bookmarks are printed and distributed to all students in the winner’s school and the surrounding community. Winners receive prizes donated by local businesses.

Check out this PDF of the winners’ bookmarks.

Congratulations to this year’s winners:

  • Cape Hatteras Elementary:
    • First-place: Anthony Zenteno Luna
    • Second-place: Kinzlie Philips
    • Third-place: Sherlyn Mendieta-Lozano
  • First Flight Elementary:
    • First-place: Jaden Rock
    • Second-place: Ella Laws
    • Third-place: Reese Kepler
  • Kitty Hawk Elementary:
    • First-place: Matte Samson
    • Second-place: Caroline Miller
    • Third-place: May Htut
  • Manteo Elementary:
    • First-place: Alissa Tolson
    • Second-place: Cierra Anderson
    • Third-place: Anna Claire Cruden
  • Nags Head Elementary:
    • First-place: Preston Jordan
    • Second-place: Grace Clough
    • Third-place: Grace Garman