The Jefferson County Farm Bureau has announced the winners of its National Gardening Month Coloring Contest, which drew an impressive response from young students across Jefferson County throughout the month of April.
The contest was open to students in Pre-K through 4th grade and featured three age categories — Pre-K to Kindergarten, 1st to 2nd Grade, and 3rd to 4th Grade — with first and second place winners selected from each. Coloring pages were distributed to Pekin Elementary School, Pence Elementary School, and Washington Elementary School, allowing students to participate during class time. Prizes included an agriculture-themed board game, crayons, a farm-related book, and a farm-themed activity and coloring book.
The contest received approximately 305 submissions in total, including 3 preschool entries, 61 kindergarten entries, 50 first-grade entries, 101 second-grade entries, 44 third-grade entries, and 46 fourth-grade entries.
Jefferson County Farm Bureau board members Jason Steele and Courtney Burkhalter served as judges for the contest.
The winners are as follows:
Pre-K to Kindergarten: First place went to Gwen Lange of Washington Elementary School, and second place to Gabby Schafer, also of Washington Elementary School.
1st to 2nd Grade: First place went to Graci Greiner of Pekin Elementary School, and second place to Addison Flores, also of Pekin Elementary School.
3rd to 4th Grade: First place went to Isabella Jeck of Pence Elementary School, and second place to Avery Young of Pekin Elementary School.
The Jefferson County Farm Bureau extended its thanks to all the students and teachers who helped make the contest a success, as well as to Steele and Burkhalter for their time in judging the nearly 305 entries.
