Locals win honors in regional Keep Montana Green contest

Press release

Students from Rocky Boy Elementary School and Havre Middle School won honors in the 2016 Keep Montana Green art contest.

Three Rocky Boy students, all in Kim Russette's third-grade class, won citations for their work.

In the primary division category, kindergarten through third-grade, Kalelee Henderson won the first-place award, Praysia Oxford came in second and Marin Baker received an honorable mention.

In the intermediate division, fourth through sixth grades, first place went to Audrina Williams of Jackie Lipp's sixth-grade class at Havre Middle School. Orion Thivierge, also of Lipp's sixth grade class, won second, Brianna Fair of Demrece Keller's fourth-grade class in F.E. Miley Elementary School in Big Sandy finished in third.

The drawings all represented different scenic drawings and different slogans.

"We received 992 posters from 34 teachers in 24 schools across our region, which is made up of 13 counties," said Tim Crosmer, East Side Training Officer for the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Fire Bureau. Crosmer helps coordinate the Keep Montana Green art contest in the DNRC Northeastern Land Office in Lewistown.

"This is the most participation we have ever received," said Crosmer added. "It's awesome that more students are taking an interest in wildland fire prevention, and teachers are taking the time to teach it in their classrooms."

The Keep Montana Green Association has sponsored 55 contests since 1961 with the mission of creating a lasting interest in preventing wildland fires in Montana's youth, as well as adults.

This year's theme, "One Less Spark, One Less Wildfire," provides educators with a unit core for teaching students about fire safety, prevention and conservation, said Clive Rooney, area manager of the Northeastern Land Officer.

"The art entries remind the public to be more careful with fire and fire-causing hazards while enjoying the state's forests, campgrounds and rangelands, as well as in everyday life," he said.

The art entries are first judged regionally where first, second, third and honorable mention placings are decided. Then, those entries are sent to Missoula to be judged with five other regions' winners. The state winners receive ribbons, cash prizes and statewide recognition, Rooney said.

"Our central and northeastern Montana area schools have had a strong showing in the state contest for the past several years," he said. "We wish to praise the students for their outstanding artwork and creativity, and also their teachers for taking the time to incorporate the Keep Montana Green Art Contest into their daily lessons."