WES student receives first place at two levels of national art contest

Post date: Sep 10, 2018 12:10:13 PM

Wells Elementary School student Elliana Cyr received first place locally and at the State level in the second grade category of the 2018 Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest. Elliana's artwork was of Smokey Bear with the slogan, "Only You Can Prevent Wild Fires".

Shortly before summer recess, Cyr's art teacher, Sandy Brennan, presented contest certificates to Elliana for her high achievements on behalf of the Seacoast Garden Club, a local sponsor of the contest.

“Very great,” said Cyr about her recognition. She said that her poster took between two and three days to complete.

“Elliana is a very good little artist. She takes somewhat longer to finish because she works so carefully but the result is great,” commented Brennan. “I hope she continues to practice her skills.” Mrs. Brennan also had student winners in this contest in 2014 and 2016.

“As part of the Seacoast Garden Club outreach program for Youth Activities, we sponsor the contest which is part of the National Garden Club Federation to encourage awareness of our environment and its conservation,” commented Club member Janet Kupferschmid. “The contest is open to grades K thru 5 in Wells and Kennebunk schools. This year Elliana Cyr is our winner!! She…won a Certificate of Participation from the National Garden Club Federation with her depiction of Smokey Bear as a female!!”

In 1944, the Ad Council and the U.S. Forest Service decided to have a bear be the symbol for a national ad campaign to reinforce the idea that individuals can do a lot to help prevent forest fires. Woodsy Owl first appeared in 1971 with the message “Lend a Hand, Care for the Land”. The Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl Poster Contest is sponsored nationally by the USDA Forest Service and National Garden Clubs Incorporated.

Art teacher Sandy Brennan with Elliana Cyr and her depiction of Smokey Bear.