Keep Montana Green regional contest winners

Creative slogans and colorful artwork illustrate the importance of wildfire prevention in the 2022 Keep Montana Green art contest.

“We had some exceptional entries that demonstrate just how creative and artistic Montana youth are, especially as it relates to depicting wildfire prevention,” said Clive Rooney, Area Manager of the DNRC Northeastern Land Office (NELO) in Lewistown, where the posters were judged. “We are excited that we had a good turnout for this year’s contest.”

The Northwest regional contest received 133 entries from 20 teachers in 20 schools across our region of four counties. The Keep Montana Green Association has sponsored 61 art contests since 1961 with the mission of creating a lasting interest in preventing human-caused wildland fires.

Each year, the Montana DNRC and Keep Montana Green Association ask Kindergarten through 12th grade students to participate in the art contest, and the Keep Montana Green organization provides educators with a curriculum for teaching students about fire safety, prevention, and conservation. This year’s theme was “Do Your Part."

The art entries are judged regionally where first, second, third and honorable mention placings are decided. Then, those entries are sent to Missoula to be judged with five other regions’ winners. The state winners receive ribbons, cash prizes and statewide recognition.

Sixteen of the 133 entries submitted to the Northwest Land Office will be considered for prizes at the state level. State winners will be announced on April 8.

The 2022 Northwest Montana regional winners include:

Primary Division, Grades K-3:

1st

Brynn Sherrill, Noxon Elementary

2nd

Bella Woods, West Glacier Elementary

3rd

Gabriel Pederson, Noxon Elementary

Honorable Mention

Lucy Forke, West Glacier Elementary

Intermediate Division, Grades 4-6:

1st

Rowan Hebert, West Glacier Elementry

2nd

Lauren Weber, Olney-Bissell

3rd

Hazel Bigelow, West Glacier Elementry

HM

Inna Shokur, Cayuse Prarie

Junior Division, Grades 7-9:

!st

Madysen Martin, Columbia Falls HS

2nd

Kellie Klepper, Whitefish HS

3rd

Kara Christensen, Hot Springs

HM

Aidan Castenguay, Plains

Senior Division, Grades 10-12:

1st

Mackenzie Nelson, Columbia Falls HS

2nd

Elaine Reed, Columbia Falls HS

3rd

Emory Evcanbrack, Plains

HM

Ciara Robinson, Columbia Falls HS