Student posters now advance to national competition
Almont’s Megan Larkin and Emmerson Sullivan were selected as top finishers by judges at the state competition.
TRI-CITY AREA — Local students have what it takes to turn important messages into award-winning art. “Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities” was the theme of the 2021 contest.
Violet McLeod, Tucker Bates, Pierce Murray, Emmerson Sullivan and Megan Larkin were recently awarded by the Lapeer Conservation District as top finishers in the state-level poster contest.
Violet McLeod (grades 2-3) and Tucker Bates (grades K-1), students at the Imlay City Christian School, both took first place in their age group. Last week, Arlene Gibbs-Smith of the conservation district presented them with certificates and a $40 prize each.
Pierce Murray, a fifth grader at Borland Elementary in Imlay City, took second place in the state in the grade 4-6 age group. In addition to his certificate, Pierce received a $25 award.
In Almont, students Megan Larkin and Emmerson Sullivan also impressed the judges in the state contest. Megan took first place in the grade 10-12 age group and Emmerson finished in second place in the grade 7-9 category. Along with certificates, Megan received $40 in prize money and Emmerson earned $25.
After taking first place at the county level, the winning posters advanced to the Michigan Association of Conservation Districts virtual Fall Convention that took place in November.
The first place finishers—Violet, Tucker and Megan—will now see their posters bound for the National Association of Conservation Districts’ annual meeting next month in Orlando, Florida. The top three posters in each category of the national contest will receive monetary prizes with $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place.
