Cooper students honored by Smokey Bear, garden club
Posted on Saturday, May 10, 2008
BELLA VISTA - Shouts of greeting rang from Cooper Elementary School's weekly Round-Up assembly in the gymnasium Friday morning when Smokey Bear appeared. More than 500 students welcomed the friendly, furry bear; county forester Scott Noble; and two representatives from the Bella Vista Garden Club.
Winning artists - Bryan Ray, second place in the second grade and Caleb Roughton, third place in the third grade - were given framed certificates and cash prizes by the Bella Vista Garden Club for doing so well in the statewide Smokey Bear / Woodsy Owl contest. Both students demonstrated, through original drawings, how they can take personal responsibility for Smokey's well-known message," Only you can prevent wildfires."
Garden club member Peggy Olmstead presented the awards, and club president Mary Doyle gave the cash awards.
In conjunction with the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, the Bella Vista Garden Club helped sponsor the art contest. Cooper art teacher Tessa Foster had her second- and third-grade art classes participate by drawing pictures of Smokey or Woodsy for the contest. Smokey Bear teaches children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires and matches. Since 1944, Smokey Bear has served as a great reminder for fire prevention.
Woodsy Owl is America's icon for conservation of the environment. In 1971, Woodsy began helping parents and teachers inspire children to observe, explore and care for the environment. His challenge is," Lend a Hand - Care for the Land."
County forester Noble told the children that he and Smokey were delighted to be at Cooper Elementary School on Friday morning.
"We're happy to be with you celebrating the success of these two guys," Noble said, referring to the winners. "I just wanted to remind you that if you find matches or a lighter, don't play with them. Give them to your teacher or an adult. Remember Smokey's message ? ' Only you can prevent wildfires. ' And we don't want any wildfires around here."
The contest winners, garden club representatives, the forester and Smokey were given an "Oh, you did a great job ! "signal from the crowd at the program.
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