Recognition was given to poster contest winners, area residents, employees and board members at the Moniteau County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) annual Appreciation and Awards Banquet Thursday, March 26, at the California United Church of Christ fellowship hall.
Tony Hoover, District Conservationist, presented the welcome and gave the introductions. Kenny Phillips gave the invocation. Bruce Longan, District Technician II, presented the SWCD update and Karen Brinkman, Area Conservationist, the Natural Resources Conservation Service update.
Bruce Longan and Darrell Hoellering presented the 2014 Cooperator of the Year - Robin Dale and Margaret Bilyeu. Lee Longan, California FFA teacher, and Harold Haldiman, board member, presented the 2014 Educator of the Year - Adam Bieri.
Recognized as the 2014 State Educator of the Year was Carla Knipp, of St. Andrew School, Tipton. Knipp was recognized last year as the 2013 Educator of the year for Moniteau County SWCD.
Winners of the 2014 Poster Contest were recognized and presented by Nancy Kirby and Rodney Fulks. The theme for the year is "Local Heros: Your Hardworking Pollinators."
Of the fifth grade poster entries, winners were Rylee Hees, Shyla Cornwell, Isabella Gano, Emma Heather and Emma Hees, all of California; Cassidy Counterman, Clarksburg; Isaac Dampf, High Point; Ginna Meisenheimer, Jamestown; Kalynn Irey, Latham; Tucker Oldham, St. Andrew's School, Tipton; Christina Loganbill and McKenzie Howard, both of Tipton. The overall fifth grade winner was Isabella Gano.
Sixth grade poster winners were Hailey Veltrop, Hunter Oliver, Ross Deeken, Jesus Bedolla and Lauren Dietzel, all of California; Mary Blodget, Clarksburg; MacKenzie Blankenship, High Point; Mack Sorrells, Jamestown; Brooke Liebl, Latham; Christopher Noland, St. Andrew's School, Tipton; Amanda Stover and Morgan Steele, both of Tipton. The overall sixth grade winner was Lauren Dietzel.
Recognition was given to outgoing SWCD supervisors Carl Allee and Rodney Fulks. The votes for supervisor were tallied with the results being : Area III winner - Tom Harris; and Area IV winner Larry Petree.