WINNERS OF THE CONSERVATION ESSAY CONTESTS

The essay contest theme this year was “Water Wise”. The theme stresses the need for young people to become aware of the many ways that conserving water now will make an impact on the water resources for the future. Each contestant in the contests received a certificate of participation and a Shumard Oak Tree seedling. The top three winners received a monetary award and their essays entered into the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Association Area V contest, with winners announced in April. The Lennox Foundation Grant to the Fannin SWCD is used to fund these awards and many other educational programs that are sponsored by the Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District.

Jennifer Bryan, first place winner is fourteen years old. She is involved with 4-H and church activities, likes to write essays and thought it would be interesting to write a paper about conserving water since we are in a drought. She is interested in the space program and would like to be an astronaut.

Katerina Brinlee the second place winner is also very active in 4-H, Girl Scouts and is a member of BSA Venturing. She is also a member of the award winning Fannin County 4-H Forestry Team. Katerina has been very helpful to the Fannin SWCD by emceeing seminars and helping prepare and serve meals at district sponsored workshops and seminars.

Essay winners from the Honey Grove Middle School pose with Carroll Jones, Chairman of the Fannin SWCD and Robert Milton, Principal of the Honey Grove M.S. From left to right are Alexandra Robinson, 1st place, Marlee Rae Neeley, 2nd place, Aaron Spann, 3rd place of the 13 and under category of the contest and Garrett Oats third place winner in the 14 and older category.

The Fannin Soil and Water Conservation District appreciates each participant in the contest and encourages all youth of Fannin County to become active in this contest.

Garrett Oats, third place winner in the 14 and older essay contest attends Honey Grove Middle School. He likes skateboarding, basketball, baseball and “chillin” with his friends. He belongs to the Boy Scouts of America. He enjoyed the challenge of writing an essay on conservation of water and feels that it is important that we all do our part in conserving water in this time of drought.

Alexandrea (Alex) Robinson, first place winner of the 13 and under category of the “Water Wise” essay contest has only been in the Honey Grove area for a short time. She transferred here from Sachse. She likes living in the country but admits it was a big change after living in a city. She likes dancing, softball, music, family, friends and food.

Our second place winner of the 13 and under essay contest is Marlee Rae Neeley. She is an eighth-grader at Honey Grove Middle School. She likes to play basketball and run track. She has three older sisters and lives with her parents Terry and Georgia Neeley.

Aaron Spann the third place winner of the 13 and under essay contest is no stranger to the staff of the Fannin SWCD, Aaron placed third in the poster contest in 2004. He plays the drums in the Christian Rock band “Soul Fire”. Aaron an avid sports fan plays football, basketball, baseball and runs track