LEXINGTON, Ky. — Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles presented awards to the winners of the Kentucky Department of Agriculture’s (KDA’s) 2017 Poster and Essay Contest on Friday at Whitaker Bank Ballpark, home of the Lexington Legends minor league baseball team.
Hundreds of students from throughout the Commonwealth submitted posters, essays, and digital images based on the theme “Kentucky Farmers Feed the Hungry.”
“The students did an outstanding job of demonstrating how Kentucky farmers are doing their part to help their fellow Kentuckians in need,” Commissioner Quarles said. “This contest, in conjunction with the Hunger Initiative that we launched a year ago, raised awareness of the scope of the hunger problem in Kentucky and the need to find solutions. We are grateful to each and every student who participated in this year’s contest.”
Statewide winners in the poster and essay divisions were honored in each of grades K-12, and one statewide winner in digital media was recognized. Each winner received a $100 check from Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom (KAEC) and tickets to the Legends game against the Hagerstown (Md.) Suns.
Essay winners with their hometowns, schools, and teachers were:
Grade 4 – Kate Hayden, Owensboro, homeschool, Ben Hayden
Grade 5 – Kamron Hardesty, Payneville, Payneville Elementary, Becky Whelan
Grade 6 – Lexi Hayden, Owensboro, homeschool, Ben Hayden
Grade 7 – Naomi English, Glasgow, Glasgow Middle School, Laura Cline
Grade 8 – Josie Beauchamp, Eastview, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
Grade 9 – Miriam Moore, Elizabethtown, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
Grade 10 – Lillian Haldeman, Louisville, FAITH Academics Homeschool Co-op, Amy Moore
Grade 12 – James Pack, Frankfort, Franklin County High School, Sherri Smith
Poster winners with their schools, hometowns, and teachers were:
Kindergarten – Greta Gibson, Louisville, Highlands Latin School, Teresa Brittain
Grade 1 – Jason McDonald, Waco, Waco Elementary, Whitney Arnold
Grade 2 – Benjamin Caldbeck, Daviess County, Caldbeck Ag Education, Claire Caldbeck
Grade 3 – Sofie Walter, Benton, Sharpe Elementary, Andrea Barrett
Grade 4 – Julia Hadsell, Shelbyville, Southside Elementary, Michelle Thomas
Grade 5 – Elizabeth Monterosso, Mt. Washington, Mt. Washington Elementary, Amber Johnson
Grade 6 – Gracie Doublin, Bardwell, Carlisle County Middle School, Erin Provow
Grade 7 – Rachael Tanner, Cecilia, West Hardin Middle School, Leslie Meredith
Grade 8 – Suzie Endicott, Glasgow, Barren County Middle School, Marla England
Grade 9 – Abby Steele, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
Grade 10 – Alyssa Baker, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
Grade 11 – Sarah Caldbeck, Daviess County, Daviess County High School, Jason Smith
Grade 12 – Devin Lorch, Harrodsburg, Mercer County Senior High School, Julia Snellen
The student who submitted the winning digital media entry was Katrin Wilson of Whispering Hills Christian Academy in Lawrenceburg. Katrin’s teacher is Tamela Wilson.
Commissioner Quarles also honored Kaylyn Woods of Paintsville Elementary School as the Kentucky winner in the Bonnie Plants Third Grade Cabbage Program. Kaylyn grew a 17-pound cabbage for the statewide contest.
The Poster and Essay Contest is sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and Kentucky Agriculture and Environment in the Classroom Inc. For more information, go to kyagr.com/agcontest.
— Kentucky Department of Agriculture
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