Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Essay Contest Begins

Potlatch Corporation and KATV recently announced judges for the `What the Forests Mean to Me' contest, according to Barbara Pardue, Potlatch Public Affairs Director.

Judges will be responsible for choosing winners from artwork, essay and television commercial script entries from students statewide in grades kindergarten through sixth.

The deadline for the `What the Forests Mean to Me' contest is March 31. Winners will be announced at an awards luncheon in Little Rock on May 2.

Judges for the contest include Dr. John Gray, a retired forester who serves as director at large and chairman of the forestry committee for the Arkansas Wildlife Federation and is a member of the Arkansas Forestry Association; Richard Smith, a retired teacher, a member of the Arkansas State Board of Education, Desha County Quorum Court and Yellow Bend Port Authority; Erline Smith, director of the Wolfe-Kelly Day Care Center in McGehee; and Norma Watkins, a retired science teacher in Warren who currently serves as president of the Warren Women's Club and is active in various community organizations.

"We are excited that John, Erline, Richard and Norma have agreed to be judges for `What the Forests Mean to Me,'" Pardue said. "They bring with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in education and an understanding of forestry.

"We've already received over 450 creative entries from across the state for our competition," she said. "Students who have entered have shown a keen interest and appreciation for all that the forests provided in Arkansas."

`What the Forests Mean to Me' is open to all students in grades kindergarten through six.

Students in kindergarten through third grade are encouraged to submit an original piece of artwork that illustrates the significance of Arkansas' forests, and children in grades 4-6 to write an original essay on the same theme.

It also encourages the participation of K-6 teachers and their classes through a contest to write a 30-second television commercial about the economic and environmental significance of Arkansas' forests.

Artwork should be no longer than standard poster size and essays should be no longer than 500 words. All entries must be postmarked by March 31, 1997, and mailed to `What the Forests Mean to Me,' P.O. Box 109, Warren, AR 71671.

Each entry should include the student's name, teacher's name, grade, school, home address and telephone number. Winners will be notified by certified mail.