The Alexander Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) held all six of our yearly environmental education contests for the 2020/2021 school year. Although we are unable to hold an in person banquet as we usually do, the 2021 Annual Awards banquet was shared virtually as a google slides presentation to honor the students who participated in this year’s education contests. The students who received awards will still be presented with ribbons and checks, which will be delivered to the schools before the end of the school year.
All of the education contests shared the theme “We All Live in a Watershed.” Each school level winner in all competitions received $20 and a first place ribbon. County level winners received $30 and a plaque, while runner ups received $15 and a ribbon. Third place county winners received a ribbon.
The winner of the Fifth Grade Poster Contest was Hannah Anderson from Ellendale Elementary. The runner-up was Miranda Locklear from the Virtual Academy, and in third place was Zoey Moose from Wittenburg Elementary. Hannah Anderson’s poster went on to receive Honorable Mention at the Area Level. In addition to those above, other school level winners were: Luke Morris from Bethlehem Elementary, Bryant Fox from Hiddenite Elementary, Addison Davidson from Stony Point Elementary, Logan Elder from Sugar Loaf Elementary, and Landon Fredieu from Taylorsville Elementary.
In the Sixth Grade Essay Contest, the County winner was Riley Oxentine from East Alexander Middle School. The runner-up was Darren Brown from the Virtual Academy. 3rd place was Rhett Myers from East Alexander Middle School. Riley Oxentine’s essay went on to receive Honorable Mention at the Area level. Other school level winners were Tyler Wright, Natalie Newton, and Sarah Holder from East Alexander Middle School and Owen Paterson from the Virtual Academy.
This year’s Sixth Grade Slide Show Contest winner was Wyatt Helton, the runner-up was Riley Oxentine, and the third place winner was Asia Jackson, all from East Alexander Middle School. Wyatt’s slide show went on to receive 3rd place at the Area level. He received $25 and a Bronze medallion. Other school level winners were Rakin Dagenhart, Jordan Hughes, Hector Cazares, Lola Diamond, and Alivia Smith from East Alexander Middle School and Taylor Hahn from the Virtual Academy.
The Seventh and Eighth Grade Speech Contests were held completely virtual this year as well. The students videoed themselves (or had someone else video them) and then uploaded their videos to YouTube for the judges to be able to view them. This year’s Seventh Grade Speech Contest winner was Mcartney Harrington from West Alexander Middle School. The runner up was Kensley Davis from East Alexander Middle School. Third place was Quirsten Green from the Virtual Academy. Mcartney Harrington’s speech went on to receive Honorable Mention at the Area level.
This year’s Eighth Grade Speech Contest winner was Michael “Alex” Floyd of West Alexander Middle School. The runner up was Ella Mitchell of the Virtual Academy. Third Place was Lawson Setzer of East Alexander Middle School. Michael “Alex” Floyd’s speech went on to receive Honorable Mention at the Area level.
Alexander SWCD also holds a Ninth Grade Computer Poster Contest. All of this year’s competitors attend Alexander Central High School. This year’s county winner was Tanner Specht. The runner-up was Deacon Bowles. Braden Hussain placed third, and Maddoux Austin placed fourth. Specht’s digital poster, entitled “Watershed: Stirewalt Creek-Lower Little River Basin: Catawba,” received 1st Place at the Area Level. He was presented with a $75 Area II check and a medal. His poster went on to the State Level Competition and received Honorable Mention.
The Alexander SWCD Board of Supervisors and Staff would like to again congratulate all of the 2021 Conservation Contest participants and winners on a job well done! We would also like to thank all of our sponsors that donated door prizes for this event. Each winning student was able to receive some type of door prize from one of our sponsors. The Alexander SWCD Board of Supervisors consists of Chairman Bill Chapman, Vice-Chairman Myles Payne, members Kathy Bunton, Colby Herman, Eugene White, and Associate member Wendell Kirkham. Please contact Pamela Bowman, Alexander SWCD Education Coordinator, at 828-632-0638, for more information on yearly contests or other education programs. Special thanks to Kellee Payne, Alexander SWCD Office Assistant, for her hard work on the virtual banquet slides presentation which can be viewed on our Alexander SWCD Facebook page.
Fifth grade poster winner – Hannah Anderson, Ellendale Elementary
Sixth grade essay winner – Riley Oxentine, EAMS
Sixth grade slide show winner – Wyatt Helton, EAMS
Seventh grade speech winner – Mcartney Harrington, WAMS
Eighth grade speech winner – Michael “Alex” Floyd, WAMS
Ninth grade poster winner – Tanner Specht, ACHS
You can view the virtual banquet here: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1YoJRbacvP_xNtTdT8CDCYC0dqDu1t23QrOPsoEgrm0U/edit?usp=sharing