Press Release
Soil & Water Conservation District recognizes local, Area & State winners for Conservation contests
Louisburg, NC, May 5, 2015
Thursday, April 30, 2015 will be remembered as an extremely special night for forty-four of Franklin County's best
young artists, journalists and conservationists! Each of these skilled students submitted contributions in the 20142015 Franklin Soil & Water Conservation District Poster, Essay & Computer Designed Slide Show challenge.
Supported by the District over the course of thirty years, the contest topic changes every year and spotlights on
an environmental subject. The current year's theme was 'Wetlands Are Wonderful'. Prizes were awarded at the
District's 19th Annual Awards Program at Terrell Lane Middle School. Emceed by District Board members
Charles Mitchell and Carvel Cheves, forty-four students were recognized and awarded $1,555 overall in prizes
for their contributions in the current year's challenge. Mr. Cheves invited special guest, NC Representative
Bobbie Richardson to address the audience. She spoke of the significance competition and of teaching our
youth to properly care for our natural environment.
School winners in grades three through six were Sage Daughtridge, Lilly Alford, Citlhalli Villalvazo, Abigail Ertley,
Elijah Smith, Alexandria Mabrey, Sydney Byrum, Lance Williams, Danielle Paynter, Kamden Saunders, Nelson
Aguilar-Velazquez, Bethany Good, Jackson Gupton, Chloe Mabrey, Haley Limer, Samara Walton, Makayla
Mayton, Austin Huss, Marissa Burleson, Matthew Harris, Davin Pickrel, Jeremy Buchanan, Riley Huffman,
Savannah Roach, Marirose Boucher, Shayla Harris, Madelyn Bassett, Elizabeth Garner, Amber Elkins, Carolina
Morales Hernandez, Hannah Senter, Ethan Smith, Mary Allen, James St. Laurent-Friend, Justice Rizzo, Raegan
Kuusinen, Logan Dickerson, Justin Jackson, Cameron Bowers, Stevie Huss, Clay Quinton, Bryson William Bridges,
Kaylee Turner and Madison Sherman.
The night ended up being loaded with surprises when five students learned their entries were chosen as winners
at the County, Area & State levels. County winners automatically advanced to the Area IV competition to
contend with 1st place winners from ten encompassing county Soil & Water Conservation Districts. 1st place
Area IV winners progress to the state level contest supported by the NC Association of Soil & Water
Conservation Districts and contend with winners from across North Carolina. Stevie Huss, a 6th grade winner
from Leonard Homeschool of Excellence was chosen1st place winner in the County and Area IV contest and
2nd place winner in the state essay contest. Kaylee Turner, a 6th grade student from Bunn Middle School, won
1st place County for her Computer Designed Slide Show entry and 2nd place in Area IV. Three students from
Edward Best Elementary were likewise named as County, Area & State winners in the Poster Contest. Elijah
Smith was chosen 1st place County winner for third grade and 2nd place Area IV winner; Jackson Gupton
claimed 1st place County spot for fourth grade as well as 1st place in the Area IV contest; and Madelyn Bassett
was named 1st place County winner for fifth grade, 1st place Area IV winner and 2nd place State winner. Each
County winner received $50 alongside their school prizes. Area IV winners received $100 for 1st place and $50
for 2nd place. Prizes in the State contest were $200 for 1st place and $100 for 2nd.
3rd grade: L-R, Sydney Byrum, Alexandria Mabrey, Elijah Smith, Abigail
Ertley, Lilly Alford, Sage Daughtridge
4th grade: L-R, Davin Pickrel, Matthew Harris, Marissa Burleson,
Austin Huss, Haley Limer, Chloe Mabrey, Jackson Gupton, Bethany
Good, Kamden Saunders, Danielle Paynter, Lance Williams
5th grade winners: l-r, Mary Allen, FCSW Board member
Carvel Cheves, Carolina Morales-Hernandez, Amber Elkins,
Board member Charles Mitchell Elizabeth Garner, Madelyn
Bassett, Shayla Harris, Marirose Boucher, Savannah Roach,
Riley Huffman, Jeremy Buchanan
NC House Representative Bobbie Richardson addresses the
audience at the 19th Annual District Awards Program
6th grade Essay winners, l-r Stevie Huss, Justin Jackson,
Logan Dickerson, Raegan Kuusinen, Justice Rizzo
6th grade Computer Designed Slide Show winners, l-r
Kaylee Turner, Bryson W. Bridges
County, Area IV and State winners, l-r Kaylee Turner,
Stevie Huss, Madelyn Bassett, Jackson Gupton and
Elijah Smith
Franklin County Government is committed to effective and innovative public services for all of Franklin County
citizens and businesses.