Burlington—A total of 210 Vermont students from 15 schools and five home school families demonstrated their creativity through artwork and stories about trees for the Growing Works of Art contest, sponsored by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program (VT UCF) as part of its Arbor Day activities.
The theme of this year’s contest was “Trees are superheroes.” Elementary and middle school students were asked to create a drawing and story about why trees are important to them and were encouraged to share favorite memories.
Entries were judged on creativity and originality (50 %) and how well the students communicated their tree story (50 %). In many schools, teachers incorporated the contest into their English, science or art curriculum.
One winner was selected from each grade and received a Vermont State Park punch pass. The top entries are featured online at go.uvm.edu/growingart.
Winners:
Kindergarten: Levi Woodward, Upper Valley Haven Afterschool Program, White River Junction
First Grade: Thea Lenihan, Rochester Elementary School, Rochester
Second Grade: Hale Marcotte, Fletcher Elementary School, Cambridge
Third Grade (tie): Leo Maiello, The Mountain School at Winhall, Bondville, and Rowan Lawrence, home school student, Tunbridge. Rowan is a two-time winner, also placing first in competition two years ago when in first grade.
Fourth Grade: Porter McDonnell, Rochester Elementary School, Rochester
Fifth Grade: Ziva Baker, Mater Christi School, Burlington; Ziva also had the top entry for her grade in both first and third grade.
Sixth Grade: Sean Early, Mater Christi School, Burlington
Seventh Grade: no entries
Eighth Grade: Lydia Beaulieu, Mater Christi School, Burlington
VT UCF is a partnership between University of Vermont Extension and the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation. For more info visit vtcommunityforestry.org.
Students winners recognized in Rutland and Windsor Counties
The drawing and essay by Thea Lenihan, Rochester Elementary School, was judged the best among all First Grade entries in the Growing Works of Art contest, sponsored by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program.
“Trees are very pretty. They give us oxygen. If we didn’t have trees, we wouldn’t have life. I have pine trees at my house. We have a fort in one tree with a little doorway. That tree is very special to me.” – Thea
Tunbridge homeschooler Rowan Lawrence tied for first place in the Third Grade division in the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Growing Works of Art contest.
“It was my sister’s first birthday. We went to a nursery to get her a willow tree. Her name is Willow. We brought it home, got it out of the trunk and took it to a wet, sandy place. We broke up the roots, and planted it. My whole family held hands around the tree and sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ My sister was happy.” – Rowan
The winning entry in the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program’s Growing Works of Art contest for Grade 4 was submitted by Porter McDonnell, who attends Rochester Elementary School.
“I love the maple trees”
“I am writing about how maple trees are my superheroes. Maple trees in the fall stand gleaming in the woods and it calms my body. Red, yellow, orange, and brown sitting up, up, up in the crown. Wind whistling through the trees, goodbye, goodbye now it is time to leave.” – Porter
Kindergarten student Levi Woodward’s entry was among the winners in the Growing Works of Art contest, sponsored by the Vermont Urban and Community Forestry Program. Levi attends the Upper Valley Haven Afterschool Program in White River Junction.
“Rainbow Tree’’
“This is my rainbow tree! It is special because it’s awesome and colorful. If I could, it would be cotton candy flavored. It’s the best tree that I can think of! Trees are important because they are a part of nature and give us air to breathe.” – Levi
