Local kindergartner places second in statewide poster contest

HELENA, MONTANA - Students in schools across the state competed in Keep Montana Green's 61st annual wildfire prevention poster contest this year. After taking second in the primary division for the southwestern Montana region, Seeley Lake Elementary Kindergartner Hale Devins placed second in the state for the primary division. Overall statewide winners included Madysen Martin, a ninth grader from Columbia Falls High School, took first place followed by Emory Ercanbrack of Plains High School in second and RomiJo Fend of Lewis and Clark Elementary in third.

Each year the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) and the Keep Montana Green Association (KMG) asks kindergarten through 12th grade students to participate in the contest to help promote wildfire safety, prevention and conservation. This year's theme was "Do Your Part." 

The annual art contest provides educators with a unit core for teaching students about wildfire safety, prevention, and conservation. The student-created posters help increase public awareness of the dangers of uncontrolled wildland fires.

They remind the public to be more careful with fire and fire-causing hazards while enjoying the state's forests, campgrounds and rangelands, as well as in everyday life.

Devin's poster was of smokejumpers parachuting into a fire from a helicopter circling above. He loves to paint and draw and was excited his poster placed second in the contest. 

Judging at the statewide level was an all-day event at the Department of Natural Resources and the Conservation's Forestry Division Office in Missoula. Twenty-five forestry and fire professionals from the DNRC helped judge the artwork, KMG Executive Director Julia Berkey wrote in an email. They were asked to select their top three art submissions per division and judge each poster based on originality, design, artwork and prevention message. According to Berkey, Devins artwork was judged on these merits. 

The top three entries were selected from over 600 entries across Montana's state-level contest. Winners receive cash prizes, certificates and their artwork is featured in a wildfire prevention-themed calendar.

"Congratulations to all our 2022 Winners," said Berkey. "This year's artwork was not only impressive and competitive, but incredibly inspiring! Thank you for your participation and keep up the great work."

For more information on Keep Montana Green and to see the full list of winners, visit https://www.keepmontanagreen.com/.