ONEIDA CO., N.Y. — The Oneida County Conservation Education Day Committee is happy to announce the winners of the 2021 Poster Contest. McKenzie Kopytowski, Grand prize winner, a sixth-grade student from Mrs. Kadio’s class at JD George Elementary School, Verona. The Runner up was Michaela Levitt, a sixth-grade student from Ms. Martin’s class at ER Hughes Elementary School, New Hartford. Awards were presented on Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at their schools.
Posters were selected for superior artistic presentation of one or more of the conservation ideas presented at this past year’s virtual Oneida County Conservation Education Days. Additional consideration was given to the content of the caption explaining the idea of the poster.
The 2021 Contest Grand Prize winner and Runner up, both received a camping package valued at $100 given by the Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Oneida County. NYS DEC generously supplied camperships (a free week) at a DEC Summer Camp for the top two winners, and framed wildlife prints by Tom Yacovella, Outdoorsman and Wildlife Artist who passed away January 2018. Awarded in his memory by the Central New York Youth Fishing Educators.
Judges for the contest were representatives from the Oneida County Conservation Education Day Committee. They include Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, and The Federated Sportsmen’s Clubs of Oneida County. We would also like to thank the Oneida County Youth Bureau, who is a major sponsor of this event.
Additional prizes included two students, from each classroom entered, receiving a 1-year subscription to the NYS Conservationist magazine donated by the Federated Sportsman’s Clubs of Oneida County, Inc. Schools who participated in the poster contest included: E.R. Hughes, New Hartford and JD George, Verona.
4-H Conservation Education Day continues to be a free event for Oneida County 6th grade students. The purpose of this popular educational event is to provide sixth grade students the opportunity to: 1) Gain a better understanding of the ecological balance among humans, wildlife, forest, soil and waters of New York State 2) Gain exposure to various outdoor activities available in New York State and 3) Gain exposure to a variety of conservation career opportunities. Funding for this program comes from a grant through the Oneida County Youth Bureau, and partnerships with various organizations.
–Cornell Cooperative Extension Oneida County