From staff reports
The United States Department of Agriculture and Forest Service website states: “Since 1961, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. have worked together to sponsor an annual poster contest that reaches elementary students throughout the United States.
“The contest helps promote Smokey the Bear and his fire prevention message ‘Only You Can Prevent Wildfires’ and Woodsy the Owl and his conservation message ‘Lend a Hand Care for the Land.'”
The grand prize national poster contest winner wins a free trip to Washington D.C., including round trip airfare and accommodations for four, to attend the recognition ceremony.
A $50 check, sponsored by the National Garden Clubs, Inc., is awarded to the first-place national winners from each grade level of the poster winners.
Five local school districts participated in this contest: Clarion Area, Hickory Grove (Brookville School District), Immaculate Conception, North Clarion and St. Joseph School.
One winner from each grade has been selected and forwarded on for state judging. A recognition ceremony at each participating school is in the planning stages and hopes are the ceremonies will take place in the spring.