Broadwater County Fifth Grade Arbor Day Tree Poster Contest
Author: Linda Southall
Broadwater County Fifth Grade Arbor Day Tree Poster Contest Linda Southall Townsend Tree Board Member It was a somewhat brisk but sunny day on May 12, 2023. Townsend Elementary School fifth graders eagerly gathered on the boulevard across the street from the 1963 addition on Broadwater High School for an awards ceremony and tree planting extravaganza. The latter activities were to celebrate the completion of the 2023 Broadwater County fifth grade Arbor Day Tree Poster Contest. Not only were the Townsend Elementary fifth graders present but also their teachers, Mrs. Gilligan, Mr. Hoff and Mrs. Watkins as well. Also participating in both the awards ceremony and the tree planting event were Townsend Tree Board members, Dan Mainwaring, Pat Plantenberg, Mary Mistek and Linda Southall. All students, who participated in the contest, were presented with an ice cream gift certificate from the Mint Café. This has been the tradition over the years, there were three top winners. The third-place winner was Kathryn Six. She received a $20 check from the City of Townsend. Placing second was Gabriel Krueger. He was issued a $30 check from the City of Townsend. The first-place winner was Brock Graham. He received a $50 check from the City of Townsend. In addition to his cash-winning, Brock will receive a framed picture of his poster for a keepsake. Another framed picture of his poster will be produced to be displayed at the Townsend Elementary School in a prominent place along with the poster pictures of the past first-place winners of the Broadwater County Firth Grade Arbor Day Tree Poster Contest. After the awards ceremony, the fifth graders had the opportunity to celebrate a belated Arbor Day observance by planting a tree. Students had the chance to mix up nutrients by shovel. The nutrients were added to the soil the tree was planted in to give it an extra “boost”. Students were asked for their input, as to guide the adults, in making sure the tree was placed into the hole straight. Every student was given the chance to shovel dirt to cover the tree roots. They were also given the opportunity to drive three stakes into the ground, which will serve to secure the tree, to keep it from being blown over in the wind. Everybody had a good time planting the tree. Thank you teachers and students for taking part in this year's Broadwater County fifth grade Arbor Day Tree Poster Contest and Arbor Day tree planting event.
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PhotoCredit: Linda Southall
Image 1 Caption: Brock Graham - First Place
