Community Waters was the theme for this years Poster & Essay contest through the Chisago Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in association with the Minnesota Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts (MASWCD) and the annual poster contest was a huge success this year with over 350 local students participating.

Each year a theme is chosen and presented to area schools. This years theme provided students with the opportunity to learn why our water resources are important to us and how we can better protect, keep clean, and conserve this very important resource.

Each year students from grades 5-6 are invited to create posters for the competition. The Board of Supervisors of the Chisago SWCD also opens the local competition to all students in Chisago County in grades K-4th.

The 5th- and 6th-grade posters are judged at the local level, Area III (13 Counties), and State level. The first place winner at the local level received a $100 U.S. Savings Bond. Second and third place received a $50 U.S. Savings Bond.

Judging at the Area III level took place on June 12, all NB 6th grade posters went on to that level, and prizes were awarded at each level.

North Branch (6th grade)

1st Mackenzie Brehm
2nd Rachel LaRue
3rd Robin Salazar

Rush City (5th grade)

1st Robert Syverson
2nd Camille Miller
3rd Marcus Kelly

The following winners are from 2nd and 3rd grade classes in Chisago County. The prizes that are awarded at this level are the same as the higher grades.

North Branch (4th grade)

1st Emily Merchant
2nd Claire Schraufnagel
3rd Alyssa Dervie

Taylors Falls Elementary (1st grade)

1st Alix Hansen
2nd Iris Redland
3rd Mandy Rochel

The winning posters will be on display late this summer at the Chisago County Government Center.

Thank you to the following teachers who took advantage of this teaching opportunity; Taylors Falls Elementary School - Mrs. Swanberg, NB Sunrise River School - Ms. LaVoie, Rush City C.E.Jacobson Elementary- Mrs. Williams, Ms. Nelson, & Mr. Wendorf, NB Middle School - Mr. Huselid, Mr. Erickson, Mrs. Moeller, & Mr. Lizotte. And to all the wonderful young artists who made the judging extremely difficult. Next year's theme is "Trees...Rooted in Our Future."