Sussex Conservation District (SCD) recently recognized winners of the annual conservation poster contest. Posters were judged on the 2023 theme, “One Water.”  SCD received 162 entries across five grade categories; over 117 entries were received in the 4-6 grade category. Digital posters were accepted in grade categories 7-9 and 10-12. First place posters at the county level advance to the state level; state level winners advance to the national competition.

The 2023 Sussex County conservation poster contest winners are:

Grades K -1
First place: Annabelle Lehman, John M. Clayton Elementary
Second Place: Van Thomas Bull, Greenwood Mennonite School
Third Place: Blaine Parkinson, Epworth Christian School

Grades 2-3
First place: Victor Zhou, Lewes Elementary School
Second Place: Justus Baxter, Epworth Christian School
Third Place: Lane Barbrow, Legacy Academy

Grades 4-6
First place: Idaly Velasquez-Borrayes, Sussex Academy Elementary
Second Place: Adriana Kuhns, Sussex Academy Elementary
Third Place: Claira Adams, ST215 Academy Homeschool

Grades 7-9
First place: Rainna Adams, ST215 Academy Homeschool
Second Place: Brianha Adams, ST215 Academy Homeschool
Third Place: Linda Adams, ST215 Academy Homeschool

Grades 7-9 Digital
First place: Annabelle Hochstedler, Epworth Christian School
Second Place: Peyton Tyler, Epworth Christian School

Grades 10-12
No entries

Grades 10-12 Digital
First place: Rebekah Cullen, Sussex Technical High School
Second Place: Kira Dahl, Sussex Technical High School
Third Place: Kimaru Weston, Sussex Technical High School

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PHOTO CAPTIONS:

CLAYTON ELEMENTARY
Annabelle Lehman, a kindergartener at John M. Clayton Elementary, placed first in grade category K-1 in the 2023 Sussex County Conservation Poster Contest.

EPWORTH
The 2023 Conservation Poster Contest winners from Epworth Christian School, from left, Justus Baxter, second place in grade category 2-3; Annabelle Hochstedler, first place and Peyton Tyler, second place, in grade category 7-9 digital. Not pictured, Blaine Parkinson, third place in grade category K-1.

GREENWOOD MENNONITE SCHOOL
Van Thomas Bull, a kindergartener at Greenwood Mennonite School, placed second in grade category K-1 in the 2023 Sussex County Conservation Poster Contest.

LEGACY ACADEMY
Lane Barbrow, a third grader at Legacy Academy in Harbeson, placed third in grade category 2-3 in the 2023 Sussex County Conservation Poster Contest.

LEWES ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Victor Zhou, a third grader at Lewes Elementary, placed first in grade category 2-3 in the 2023 Sussex County Conservation Poster Contest.

SUSSEX ACADEMY
The 2023 Conservation Poster Contest winners from Sussex Academy Elementary School are, from left, Idaly Velasquez-Borrayes, first place, and Adriana Kuhns, second place, in grade category 4-6.

SUSSEX TECH DIGITAL
Sussex Technical High School digital publishing students swept the digital category of the 2023 Conservation Poster Contest for Grades 10-12. Pictured, from left, Rebekah Cullen, first place, Kira Dahl, second place, and Kimaru Weston, third place.

ST215 ACADEMY HOMESCHOOL
Three homeschooled students and Harbor Lights 4-H Club members from the Adams family of Milford placed in the 2023 Conservation Poster Contest. Pictured, from left, Claira Adams, third place in grade category 4-6; Rainna Adams, first place in grades 7-9; and Linda Adams, third place in grade category 7-9. Not pictured, Briahna Adams, second place in grade category 7-9.