PIERRE, S.D. – The 60th annual Resource Conservation Speech Contest State Finals were held at the State Capitol in Pierre on Saturday, April 24, 2021.
The contest theme was “What Have You Done for Conservation Lately?”
Winning first place and a $1,100 scholarship was Isabelle Mairose. Isabelle was sponsored by Brule-Buffalo Conservation District and is a homeschooled sophomore. She is the daughter of Mary and Steve Mairose of Kimball.
Winning second place and a $750 scholarship was Seth Schoon. Seth was sponsored by Mellette Conservation District and is a sophomore at Sunshine Bible Academy. He is the son of Jennifer and Lealand Schoon of White River.
Winning third place and a $450 scholarship was Remington Miklos. Remington was sponsored by Custer Conservation District and is a sophomore at Custer High School. He is the son of Amy and Tom Miklos of Custer.
Seven contestants competed in the 2021 state finals.
Scholarships were provided by Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of South Dakota. The contest is co-sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts.
South Dakota high school students first participated in a local contest sponsored by their conservation district. Two students from each district were then eligible to participate in an area contest. From there, the top two winners from each of the designated areas were eligible to advance to the state finals.
Next year’s contest theme is “Rivers and Streams Benefit South Dakota.” For more information, contact your local conservation district office or DANR at 605.773.3623.
— South Dakota DANR
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