Conservation poster awards announced, animals petted

The Kiowa County Conservation District handed out awards for its student poster contest on Tuesday morning at the Kiowa County Schools. Great Bend-Brit Spaugh Zoo Director Scott Gregory also brought along some of his animals to the delight of county students.

Gregory delighted the crowd of county students with three animals from the zoo. He tried to talk about the importance of animal preservation and talked about the work the zoo does to save injured or abandoned animals, but ultimately he played second fiddle to the massive boa constrictor, furry opossum and anxious gray horned owl.

Following a brief Q&A ribbons were handed out to all of the poster contest winners.

Each winning student received a $50 saving bond and the grand champions from the 1^st through 4^th grade, and 5^th through 8^th grade will represent Kiowa County in the state completion.  

First grade winners were Elizabeth Sneed (1^st), Shelby Lingafelter (2^nd) and Alexandra Redecop (3^rd).

Second grade winners were Charleigh Friesen (1^st and grand chamion), Bo West (2^nd) and Addison Sherer (3^rd).

Third grade winners were Makenna Merhoff (1^st and reserve champion), Tina Banman (2^nd) and Ridge Estes (3^rd).

Fourth grade winners were Brooklyn Koger, Talon Estes and Emma Trujillo(3^rd).

Fifth grade winners were Camden VandenHoek (1^st and grand champion), Cambrey Ballard (2^nd) and Karson Ross (3^rd).

Sixth grade winners were Kiauna Behee (1^st), Alisyn Davis (2^nd) and Lauren Hinshaw (3^rd).

Seventh grade winners were Nicole Ballard (1^st), Kylee Morford (2^nd) and Maddi Brensing (3^rd).

Eighth grade winners were Morgen Ulrich (1^st and reserve champion), Marissa Kendall (2^nd) and Kelsi Francis (3^rd).