Florence School District 3’s annual observance of Arbor Day culminated Friday with an awards ceremony at Main Street Elementary gym for winners of the literacy and art contests.
Winners received certificates and prizes for their entries.
District-level winners of the grade-level literacy contest were:
- 4K-5K Class: Debbie McAllister’s class (first place), Yvonne McFadden’s class (second place) and Blake Brookens’ class (third place).
- 1st-2nd grades: KaNuary Smith (first place), Trey Canty (second place) and Brooks Kearns (third place).
- 3rd-4th grades: Alison Lintvedt (first place), Wynter Bryant (second place) and Yvonne McCrea (third place).
- 5th-6th grades: Jada Robinson (first place), Jhournae Parker (second place) and Kimberly Brown (third place).
- 7th - 8th grades: Jada Montgomery (first place), Jalayah Speights and Keshawn Wallace (second place).
- 9th - 12th grades: Trey Milligan and Camryn Nero (first place), My'kel Croker, Secret McFadden and Shi'Daisa Graham (second place) and Alexandria Gibbs, Lanirya Leggette, Madison Strickland and Jemari Carson (third place).
- District-level winners of the art contest were:
- 5K- 2nd Grade: Gage Strickland (first place), Tacari Addison (second place) and Madyson Eaddy (third place).
- 3rd-4th grades: Taylor McCutcheon (first place), Sierra Williams (second place) and Jennifer Cameron (third place).
- 5th-6th grades: Ervin Rodriguez (first place), Ana Kirven (second place) and Kelsie Smith (third place).
- 7th-8th grades: Aiden Bright (first place), Princess Singletary (second place) and Sanai Howard (third place).
- 9th-12th grades: Jordan Barnett (first place), Sydney Morris (second place) and Destinee Alexander (third place).
The awards program also included an Arbor Day proclamation from Lovith Anderson, mayor of Lake City, as well as musical performances by the chorus from Lake City Early Childhood Center and Lake City High School Ensemble and the News Beginnings Praise Dance Team. Eden Durden, a student at Main Street Elementary School, also recited Trees, a poem by Joyce Kilmer.
Daniel Frederick, a naturalist in the Environmental Discovery Center at Lynches River County Park, was the guest speaker. Mr. Frederick talked about trees providing shelter, food and camouflage for animals. He had with him several animals that can be found at the park, including a snake and a box turtle.
Moore Farms Botanical Garden, in partnership with FSD3, is scheduled to plant magnolia trees at Olanta Creative Arts and Science Magnet School and J. Paul Truluck Creative Arts and Science Magnet School. This planting partnership has been a tradition for more than seven years.
