PLE students win Smokey poster contest

Smokey Bear appeared at Priest Lake Elementary School recently to pass out information packets to the students and to award and congratulate those students who won in the Smokey/Woodsy poster contest they entered last fall.

Accompanied by Idaho Department of Lands fire personnel and engines on the official last day of the school year, Smokey’s presence was appreciated by the school’s teachers and staff.

West Bonner County School District Superintendent/Principal Paul Anselmo was also on hand as well as West Bonner County School School Board Trustee Margaret Hall to congratulate the students and wish all a good, healthy summer.

State winners include second grader Brody Bushman, who won first place; and two fifth graders, Gunnar Pettit in second place and placing in third, Abigail Eldore. Special honors to Mary Trusty who won every year she entered — except one, she said — as a Priest Lake Elementary student.

The contest is held every fall and is sponsored by the National Garden Clubs, the Idaho Department of Lands at Priest Lake, and U.S. Forest Service Priest Lake Ranger District. Prize support this year was given by the Moscow Idaho Garden Club Chapter and the Idaho Dept of Lands.

Photos:

Priest Lake Elementary School first-, second-, third-place winners by grade include:

• Kindergartners: Alivia Votava, Addy Brown, Ella Willyard

• First graders: Zowy Yob, Daizie Morris, Brayden Claar

• Second graders: Brody Bushman, Cole Horlacher, Jake Bushman

• Third graders: Ben Sweeney, Katie Zalewski, Wiley Hill

• Fourth graders: Alyssa Blackwell, Coral Averett, Addyson Yob

• First graders: Gunnar Pettit, Abigail Eldore, Lilly Kennedy

• Sixth graders: Mary Trusty, Jailynne Long, Joe Pettit