Fifth-Grader Named Winner in Arbor Day National Poster Contest

Ken on April 21st, 2009

The Arbor Day Foundation has selected Geneva Mendoza, a fifth-grade student at Maryetta School in Stilwell, Oklahoma, as winner of the 2009 Arbor Day National Poster Contest. The annual contest for fifth-grade students nationwide is sponsored by Toyota and runs in conjunction with the national celebration of Arbor Day — which will be held Friday, April 24.

“My interest in trees comes pretty naturally since our family has always celebrated Arbor Day,” Geneva said. “Planting trees and competing in the poster contest is an exciting part of the year for me — winning nationally is a huge honor!”

The contest includes a classroom curriculum and other activities to help boost students’ knowledge and appreciation of trees, and is free and open to fifth-grade students nationwide. More than 1.5 million students were involved with the contest and related classroom curriculum.

“We were extremely impressed with Geneva’s artwork,” said Michelle Saulnier-Scribner, program director for The Arbor Day Foundation. “It’s so moving to see a child put this kind of effort and purpose into creating artwork that conveys an understanding and appreciation of trees. There were many excellent posters this year. Geneva, her teacher and her family should be very proud.”

This year’s contest carried the theme of “Trees are Terrific . . . In Cities and Towns,” chosen in part to help students better understand the importance of trees in communities of all sizes. This is the fourth time the Foundation has selected this theme since the poster contest’s 1992 inception, as it has always been among the most popular. [Arbor Day Foundation]