Northeastern Montana Keep Montana Green regional contest winners announced

Press release

LEWISTOWN - Colorful artwork and creative slogans illustrate the importance of wildfire prevention in the 2022 Keep Montana Green art contest.

"We had some fantastic entries that demonstrate just how creative and artistic Montana youth are, especially as it relates to depicting wildfire prevention,'" said Clive Rooney, Area Manager of the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation Northeastern Land Office in Lewistown, Mont.

  The northeastern Montana regional contest received 292 entries from 15 teachers in 13 schools across our region of 13 counties in central and northeastern Montana. The Keep Montana Green Association has sponsored 61 art contests since 1961 with the mission of creating a lasting interest in preventing human-caused wildland fires.

  "The artwork reminds the public to be careful with fire and fire-causing hazards while enjoying the state's forests, campgrounds and rangelands, as well as in everyday life," said Rooney. "If these prevention efforts help eliminate just one human-caused fire then they are well worth it, saving our state's forests, rangelands, homes and money."

Each year, the Montana DNRC and Keep Montana Green Association ask Kindergarten through 12th grade students to participate in the art contest. This year's theme, "Do Your Part," and the Keep Montana Green organization, provide educators with a curriculum for teaching students about fire safety, prevention and conservation.

The art entries are 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.

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

Twenty-four of the 292 entries submitted to the Northeastern Land Office will be considered for prizes at the state level. State winners will be announced in April.

"This art contest is a great way to engage students on the topic of preventing human-caused wildfires," said Julia Berkey, Keep Montana Green executive director. "We at the Keep Montana Green Association love that it reminds students of their role in preventing wildfires, while also allowing them to have fun and get creative."

The 2022 northeastern Montana regional winners include:

Primary Division, Grades K-3

First Place - LiLa Fallo, third grade, teacher Danelle Hanson, Moore Public School;

Second Place - Hannah Gilkey, second grade, teacher Brenda Donaldson, Denton School;

Third Place - Paisley Browning, second grade, teacher Danelle Hanson, Moore Public School;

Honorable Mentions - Caden Bronec and Luke Kassube, third grade, teacher Brenda Donaldson, Denton School; and Jaydence Manternach, third grade, teacher Kim Torgerson, Scobey Schools.

Intermediate Division, Grades 4-6

First Place - Johnnie Schultz, sixth grade, teacher Marti Schultz, Home School in Grass Range;

Second Place - Ellie Kinsey, fifth grade, teacher Chad Armstrong, Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Lewistown;

Third Place - Mason Schultz, fourth grade, teacher Marti Schultz, Home School in Grass Range;

Honorable Mentions - Romi Jo Fend and Rayleigh Waggoner, sixth grade, teacher Julie Reesor, Lewis and Clark Elementary School in Lewistown, and Tenley Allestad, fifth grade, teacher Sheena Suello, Opheim School.

Junior Division, Grades 7-9

First Place - Jacob Dykstra, eighth grade, teacher Katie Wirtzberger, Lewistown Junior High School;

Second Place - Olivia Zieglowsky, seventh grade, teacher Katie Wirtzberger, Lewistown Junior High School;

Third Place - Amarah Manning, seventh grade, teacher Katie Wirtzberger, Lewistown Junior High School;

Honorable Mentions - Ruthie Duggins, seventh grade, teacher Katie Wirtzberger, Lewistown Junior High School, Jessa Sandau, ninth grade, teacher Vivian Schultz, Wolf Point High School and a group entry by Maria Landles, Maria Still and Methan Jacka, ninth grade, teacher Sheena Suello, Ophiem School.

Senior Division, Grades 10-12

First Place - Breah Jackson, 12th grade, teacher Vivian Schultz, Wolf Point High School;

Second Place - Jaden Swan, 12th grade, teacher Douglas Braulick, Fergus High School of Lewistown;

Third Place - James Landles, 10th grade, teacher Sheena Suello, Ophiem School;

Honorable Mentions - Audriana Four Bear, 11th grade, teacher Vivian Schultz, Wolf Point High School; Natalee Thingelstad, 10th grade, teacher Joanne Berry, Moore Public School; and a group entry by Damian Cable and Cole Taylor, teacher Sheena Suello, Ophiem School.

Headquartered in Missoula, the Keep Montana Green Association sponsors the annual art contest in coopera­tion with Montana DNRC.