The Kansas Wetlands Education Center announced the winners of the 2017 World Wetlands Day Coloring Contest. Nearly 400 second graders completed a coloring sheet featuring Red-Eared Sliders, one of several turtle species commonly found at Cheyenne Bottoms.
World Wetlands Day was Thursday. The observation is organized by Ramsar, the organization that has designated Cheyenne Bottoms a “Wetland of International Importance.”
The best coloring sheet from each participating class was chosen, and winners received a certificate, a pocket guide to Kansas endangered species, a poster and temporary tattoo featuring the endangered Cave Salamander. “Many of our state’s endangered species rely on wetlands to survive,” said KWED Education Director Jean Aycock.
The winners were:
• Great Bend
Lincoln Elementary School, Camryn Moos and Cortez Shepherd; Riley Elementary, Sophia Cale, Greidys Moreno Orona and Genesis Leyva; Eisenhower Elememtary, Raegan Heller and Ashley Gonzalez; Jefferson Elementary, Rylee Schnoebelen and Bella Long; Park Elementary Trinaty Aumiller and Jonathan Serna; And Holy Family, Julian Ordonez.
• Ellinwood
St. Joseph School, Alexandra Harrington; and Ellinwood Grade School, Reece Stickney and Bennett Jacobs.
• Hoisington
Roosevelt Elementary, Campbell Husted, Tristin Compton and Marley Bittel;
•Holyrood
Central Plains Elementary, Taylin Davis and Ben Pflughoeft.
Great Bend Community Coordinator, Christina Hayes, worked with area businesses to display the coloring sheets through Feb. 16. Each school is displayed at a different business: St. Joseph School in Ellinwood – KansasLand Tire, Holy Family – OPI, Ellinwood Grade School – Gambinos, Hoisington Roosevelt – Dawson Jewelers, Central Plains Elementary – Perks, Park – Essential Elements, Eisenhower – Rosewood Bargain Barn, Lincoln – P&S Security, Jefferson – Defy Expectations, and Riley – Great Bend Recreation Commission Activity Center.
