EcoEKY: Green News from Eastern Kentucky

From the Breathitt County Voice:

35th year for Conservation Awards banquet big hit for first-timers

By Jeff Noble

Voice Editor

Since its inception back in 1974, hundreds of families have come to the annual Awards Banquet held by the Breathitt County Conservation District (BCCD).

Their children are rewarded for the essays they write, and the pictures they draw, which honor the works in land conservation and preserving wildlife.

Their parents are also honored for their work in farming and environmental quality, along with beautifying their homes and property.

But the best part of all? It’s watching those students who come to the event for the very first time.

And win.

Last Friday’s edition of the awards banquet - the 35th Annual one - was no exception.

For Tabitha Roark, her first time in the contest landed her a First Place prize in the 3rd Grade Art Contest. And she was totally excited about her drawing. “It was about nature and what’s in the forest. There were grizzly bears, eagles, robins, ducks and elk in the picture!” said Tabitha, an eight-year-old student at Marie Roberts-Caney. Along with her mom Wendy, the two were dressed “pretty in pink”, as they discussed the evening ahead. “It’s my first time here, and I’m looking forward to winning. And some good food.”

The theme this year for the contest was about wildlife. “Kentucky’s Backyard - Where Life Is Wild”, to be exact. Tabitha and Wendy were among some 280 persons who came to the Breathitt High School Cafeteria to enjoy the awards, to eat fried chicken and ham, and to see if they had the lucky ticket to win them a door prize later that evening.

But there was one first-time winner who already has bright plans for the future. And he loved to let people know about those plans. Dressed for success with a dark blue shirt and tie, ten-year-old Austin Hudson was a hit with everyone he talked to. “I want to be a famous artist in Breathitt County. I want to make cartoons. And my role model is Whistler, who did a painting.”(artist James Whistler, who painted the classic “Whistler’s Mother” back in the 1870’s). The 4th Grader at LBJ had won 1st Place in his school’s Art Contest, and after introducing everyone in his family who were at his table, got up and showed visitors his winning picture. There, on a post in the cafeteria, was his drawing, which featured a ferret, a black bear in hiding, and a scarecrow with some crows hanging on its arms. “I patterned this scarecrow after the one in “The Wizard Of Oz”, Austin proudly exclaimed. On the picture he also wrote, “We must feed the animals. Whatever food they like”. Walking back to his table with Sherry Mullins of the Natural Resource Conservation Services (NRCS), an pumped-up Austin was ready to start the festivities. “This is awesome. I’m looking forward to getting that award, and watching everyone get lots and lots of awards. And I get a ten-dollar prize, too!”

Over a thousand students in four school districts entered this competition. And when the key awards were given out, the winners were Travis Arrowood, of Jackson City School, who was the County Winner of the Art Contest. His winning entry, “Ky’s Backyard, Where Life is WILD” was featured on the programs given out to the audience, as well as on a big video screen, and on a billboard on Route 15 in Jackson. Rousseau Elementary student Jackie Howard was the County Runner-Up in the Art Contest.

For the Writing Contest, another Jackson City School student - Alexandria Herald - took the top prize, as she read her essay about wildlife conservation and keeping our environment free of garbage and litter. Breathitt High School student Brayton Fugate was the County Runner-Up in the Writing Contest.

In addition, scholarships were awarded to two students - Faith Stewart of Breathitt High, and Randi Barnett of Jackson City. Then, awards and prizes were given out to scores of students from the schools that participated, beginning with Highland-Turner, continuing with Jackson City, LBJ, Marie Roberts-Caney, Mount Carmel, Riverside Christian, Rousseau, SMS, and ending with Breathitt High.

Carrie Banks liked being one of the winners from her school. “I wrote about deer and wildlife, and what we can do to help them have a happy balance with nature,” said the Sophomore at Riverside, who was the Overall School Winner in the Writing Contest. While waiting in line to get a bite to eat, Carrie continued. “Like several students here, this is also my first time at this awards banquet, and I think it’s pretty cool.”

“We’ve got around ten participating this year, which is a little bit down from last year,” noted Lawrence Monroe, a science teacher at Riverside. Later in the ceremony, Monroe himself would be honored, as he received one of the Outstanding Assistance Awards for conservation work with his school. Ogelle Parks was given the “Conservation and Beautification Around the Home Contest” Award for her work on her farm that began the same time as the banquet began - 35 years ago.

This year’s “Outstanding Breathitt Countian” Award was given to Roy Spencer. Involved in youth, agricultural development, water conservation and recreation for 55 years of his life, Spencer told the Voice afterwards, “There’s more who deserve this award, but I’ll just say, ‘How sweet it is.” I feel pretty good getting it.”

But even the drawings of birds, critters and grizzly bears growling had to take a backseat to the stomachs growling of those getting their awards for the first time. Before they got in line to eat, nine-year-old Krista Back quickly described her drawing. “I drew a squirrel on the tree. I had blue skies, and lots of land,” said the Second Grader at LBJ who won 2nd Place in her school’s Art Contest. Sitting with her sister Haley and her Grandma, Nadine Back, Krista painted a colorful picture of her artwork on paper, of the picture of it in her mind, and of the awards banquet itself.

“I like the whole thing.”