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Alexandra Farber, a sixth grade student at Britton-Hecla Elementary in Britton, is the winner of the 2009 South Dakota Arbor Day Essay/Poem Contest.
The contest provides fifth and six grade students an opportunity to write essays or poems on the importance of Arbor Day and tree planting in South Dakota.
Farber's first place poem was selected for its creativity and positive message in appreciation of trees and Arbor Day. For her achievement, she receives a plaque, $100 check, and a McDonald's jacket. Her school, Britton-Hecla Elementary, will receive $150 for the purchase of supplies or equipment.
Karessa Elsberry of Hoven Elementary received second place, and Kiera Leddy of Milbank Middle School took third.
The winning poems were selected from the 1,684 entries in the essay/poem contest, sponsored by South Dakota's Association of Conservation Districts (SDACD), McDonald's Restaurants of South Dakota, and the South Dakota Department of Agriculture.
Arbor Day was first proposed by Nebraska newspaper publisher J. Sterling Morton in 1872. On that first Arbor Day, citizens planted more than one million trees in Nebraska. South Dakota celebrates Arbor Day on the last Friday in April (April 24, 2009). The Essay/Poem contest has been held in South Dakota for 32 years.
Conservation of Our Trees
By Alexandra Farber
The trees, the trees, so big and fine,
Keep our planet clean; it's yours and mine.
Plant some trees whenever you can,
They are like nature's cooling fan.
Providing shade for you and me,
They cool your house naturally.
My favorite is the apple tree,
Her yummy treats are mine for free!
She spreads her branches high and wide,
The perfect spot for me to hide.
Stretched out along a lengthy branch,
I watch the leaves twirl and dance.
Call it Evergreen, Spruce, or Pine,
It's another favorite of mine.
Extending skyward, growing tall,
She sheds her cones every fall.
There are so many varieties,
Like elm and oak and maple trees.
Mother Earth should be kept nice,
So don't pollute, just think twice.
Take care of this place where we all live,
You can't just take, you have to give.
So go outside and take a hike,
Or park you car and ride your bike.
In lots of ways we can do our part,
To save our planet, we just have to start.
Please recycle and don't waste water,
Plant a tree for your son or daughter.
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©Marshall County Journal 2009
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