Conservation speech contest winners announced

PIERRE – The 52nd annual State Finals of the Resource Conservation Speech Contest was held at the State Capitol in Pierre on April 20.

Winning first place and a $1,100 scholarship was Shanae Doerr. Doerr was sponsored by the South Brown Conservation District and is a sophomore at Aberdeen Central High School. She is the daughter of James and Charleen Doerr of Aberdeen.

Receiving second place and a $750 scholarship was Emily Meier. Meier was sponsored by the South Brown Conservation District and is a sophomore at Aberdeen Central High School. She is the daughter of Steve and Katie Meier of Aberdeen.

Receiving third place and a $450 scholarship was Logan Hattervig. Hattervig was sponsored by the Miner County Conservation District and is a freshman at Howard High School. He is the son of David and Connie Hattervig of Carthage.

Scholarships totaling $2,300 for the winners are provided by Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of South Dakota. The contest is co-sponsored by the South Dakota Department of Agriculture (SDDA), the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and the South Dakota Association of Conservation Districts.

The theme of this year’s contest was “The Economic Impact of Conservation on America.” South Dakota high school students first participated in a local contest sponsored by their conservation district.

Two students from each district were then eligible to participate in an area contest. From there, the top two winners from each of the designated areas were eligible to advance to the state finals. This year, 11 contestants competed in the state finals.

Next year’s theme is “Why Conservation Saved Us from Another Dust Bowl.” For more information, contact your local conservation district office or SDDA at 605-773-3623.

To read the winning speeches and view pictures of the contestants, visit:

http://sdda.sd.gov/

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