Essay Report Poster Contest Winners
North Port Friends of Wildlife (NPFOWL) held an essay report/poster contest recently in which approximately 175 contestants participated in. We were delighted with the response. These participants included Seniors, Sophomores and Juniors from North Port High School. Science teacher Ann Hawk worked with her students and us on this project. The focus of the project was on “threatened” or “endangered” species in the State of Florida and it was to include some explanation as to why biodiversity is important.
According to Florida Fish & Wildlife, there are many listed species: https://myfwc.com/media/1945/threatened-endangered-species.pdf
The students were to provide original artwork and a one-page report. A rubric was provided which was used to determine the winners. For more information about the contest, please visit our website: http://www.northportfriendsofwildlife.org/event---youth-poster-contest.html
The final winners were:
GRAND PRIZE WINNERS
Esperanza Paulino (SR) - Pine Snake
Valerie Nimelli (SOPH) - Bartram's Scrub-hairstreak
FIRST PRIZE WINNERS
Christian Deivert (SR) - Elkhorn Coral
Emma Diener (JR) - Snowy Plover
Wansey Alexis (SOPH) - Miami Blue
SECOND PRIZE WINNERS
Mila Snyder (SR) - Gopher Tortoise
Marly Jackson (JR) - Key Deer
Emily Grimsey (SOPH) - American Crocodile
THIRD PRIZE WINNERS
Ali Akaeva (SR) - White-crowned Pigeon
Allura Bourne (JR) - Schaus Swallowtail
Katlyn Loboda (SOPH) - Miami Blue
Samantha Pace (SOPH) - Giant Manta Ray
Prizes that were awarded came from these vendors; they are listed here in no particular order:
The Bishop Museum of Science and Nature, Marie Selby Botanical Gardens, Historic Spanish Point, Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, Dicks Sporting Goods, Walmart, and the following restaurants – Perkins, Blue Tequila, Tarpon Point Grill, Applebee’s and First Watch.
Elise Bennett, Attorney for Center for Biological arrived at the final winners. This is what she had to say: “Thank you for inviting me to judge these students’ incredible work. Species extinction is one of the biggest challenges we and the next few generations will face, along with the climate emergency. I’m convinced we will only overcome it through love, understanding, respect, and compassion for other species. All of these qualities were on display in the students’ posters and essays. It gives me immense hope for the future, despite the massive challenges we face.”
Please note that the winning posters with reports are currently displayed in the 2nd floor lobby at North Port's City Hall. Please feel free to visit these works of art and educational pieces. We expect them to be there through to the end of June.
Please know that it was very hard to decide who the winners would be because there were so many special entries! We’re sorry we couldn’t award each and every one!
We'd like to express many thanks to all those who made this event possible:
North Port High School Science teacher, Ann Hawk; the participating students; Center for Biological Diversity attorney, Elise Bennett; the vendors listed above; Gregg Mason, Science Professor at Florida Southwestern State College; Carolann Palm Abramoff, former Sarasota County Librarian Manager; Jennifer Krajcir, Environmental Consultant of Suncoast Ecological Services, LLC; Liz Riepe, former high school Science teacher; Carol Hughes, former high school Science teacher.
https://www.biologicaldiversity.org/
Prepared by Edie Driest, NPFOWL Chair
Winners' reports and posters noted below...
Grand Prize Winner - Esperanza Paulino - Pine Snake
Grand Prize Winner - Valerie Nimelli - Bartram's Scrub-hairstreak
First Place Winner - Christian Deivert - Elkhorn Coral
First Place Winner - Emma Diener - Snowy Plover
First Prize Winner - Wansey Alexis - Miami Blue Butterfly
Second Place Winner - Mila Snyder - Gopher Tortoise
Second Place Winner - Marly Jackson - Key Deer
Second Place Winner - Emily Grimsey - American Crocodile
Third Place Winner - Ali Akaeva - White-crowned Pigeon
Third Place Winner - Allura Bourne - Schaus Swallowtail
Third Place Winner - Katlyn Loboda - Miami Blue Butterfly
Third Place Winner - Samantha Pace - Giant Manta Ray
