The Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District held its annual essay contest for 6th grade and poster contest for students in 3rd through 6th grades in Jackson County.
The purpose of the contests is to educate students about issues that affect our land and water sources.
This year’s theme was ‘Water…the Cycle of Life’.
Third graders from Summit Charter School, Blue Ridge School, and Cullowhee Valley participated in the contest for 3rd graders; fifth graders from Summit Charter School and sixth graders from Fairview School, Smokey Mountain Elementary and Cullowhee Valley participated in the poster contest. Smokey Mountain Elementary 6th graders competed in the essay competition.
Winning students each received a trophy and prize money: $50 for First Place, $25 for Second, Honorable Mention received a certificate.
The teacher of the winning student also received $50 in recognition of their contribution to the students’ success.
The first-place posters will advance to the Area 1 Contest in Waynesville which will be held on March 27, where they will compete against winners from the 15 other Soil and Water Conservation Districts of Area 1 who chose to compete.
3rd grade poster winners were 1st- Evelyn Hughes, 2nd- Peyton Wike, from Chrissy Hughes Summit Charter class. Honorable Mention- Dechlan Lanning, from Donna Stewart’s Blue Ridge School class.

3rd grade winners from left are Payton Wike and Evelyn Hughes, from Chrissy Hughes Summit Charter class.
5th grade poster winners were 1st-Charley Hunter, 2nd- Carleigh Wilson, Honorable Mention- Charles Allen Jernigan, all from Kim Stiwinter’s Summit Charter School class. Pictured at the top of the article from left are Charles Allen Jernigan, Charley Hunter, and Carleigh Wilson.

3rd grade poster Honorable Mention- Dechlan Lanning, from Donna Stewart’s Blue Ridge School class
6th grade poster winners were 1st- Natalia Wlosok, 2nd-Julia Hogan, Honorable Mention- Izzy Brun, all from Ray Crawford’s Fairview class.

6th Grade Poster winners, left to right. 2nd Place- Julia Hogan, Honorable Mention- Izzy Brun, 1st- Natalia Wlosok, all from Ray Crawford’s Fairview School class.
6th grade essay winners were 1st- Rylee Bodfield, 2nd- Mackenzie Spell, Honorable Mention- Wynter Lemke, all from Charity Jamison’s Smokey Mountain Elementary class.

6th Grade Essay winners, left to right. 1st- Rylee Bodfield, 2nd- Mackenzie Spell, Honorable Mention- Wynter Lemke, all from Charity Jamison’s Smokey Mountain Elementary School class.
For more information on Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District’s contests and education programs contact Jane Fitzgerald at 828.586.5465.