Sevilleta NWR poster contest winner for conservation message - Katie Rinehimer

                    Socorro Fifth Grader Wins Endangered Species Poster Contest

Sevilleta National Wildlife Refuge sponsored its second annual endangered species poster contest this September. The contest is offered as a component of the Refuge’s Mexican gray wolf education program. Participation in the contest allows teachers to add a visual arts component to their curriculum for a well balanced study unit for their students.

The 2005 contest received over 350 entries from grades Pre-K through 12. Judging by a panel of Refuge staff and volunteers took place at the Refuge on October 6^th. Prizes were awarded at the Refuge’s annual open house on October 15^th. Forty-two winners were chosen in two categories; artwork, and conservation message. Winners received Mexican gray wolf T-shirts. Best of show award winners also received free passes to the Rio Grande Zoo, which cosponsored the event.

The artwork category was won by Gigi Alvarez, a fifth grader from Socorro. Gigi attends art classes at New Mexico Tech and won for her pastel drawing of a wolf. The conservation message category was won by Katie Rienhimer, a tenth grader from Cedar Crest. Katie attends the East Mountain High School. Her winning message was “What’s right? What’s wrong? Who’s dead? Who’s gone? You decide. Please make your choice a good one!”