Twenty Carbon County students were recently recognized for their poster designs during the Carbon County Conservation District's 37th annual poster contest.

This year's theme was "Soil to spoon."During the awards presentations, members of the Conservation District spoke about the importance of understanding the roles of farmers and where food comes from.Josiah Behrens, district chairman, welcomed the group of students and families and thanked them for participating in the contest."This year's theme is appropriate," he said. "I hope it helped you think about where food comes from."Audrey Wargo, district secretary, then explained that this year, over 150 posters were entered.She explained that the contest aims at promoting conservation through education.Wargo then noted that posters of the first place winners in each grade level will be sent to the Pennsylvania Conservation District, where they will compete on the state level. Last year, two of the poster winners won at the state level and were entered into the National Conservation District contest.Prior to announcing the winners, Wargo told the students that they should be proud of their hard work.She also thanked parents for encouraging their children.Winners in this year's poster contest are:Kindergarten and first grade level: Brynn Wentz of Franklin Elementary, first; Jaclyn Smith of Panther Valley Elementary, second; Kaitlyn Danner of Mahoning Elementary, third; and Sera Robin of Panther Valley, honorable mention.Grades two and three: Sadie Trubilla of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, first; Tatianna Zeleniak of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, second; Sara Collevechio of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, third; and Megan Aaron of SS. Peter and Paul, honorable mention.Grades four through six: Jack Kemmerle of Mahoning Elementary, first; Beatrice Petschauer of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, second; Katie Aaron of SS. Peter and Paul, third; and Meghan Boyle of Panther Valley, honorable mention.Grades seven through nine: Allison Amodea of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, first; William Cuevas of Our Lady of The Angels Academy, second; Sarah Kester of St. John Neumann, third; and Johanna Matskko of St. John Neumann, honorable mention.Grades 10 through 12: Erin Hollingsworth of Weatherly High School; first; Cassidy Piskorick of Weatherly High School, second; Angela Brill of Weatherly High School, third; and Jordan Behrens of Jim Thorpe High School, honorable mention.Winners each received a certificate, ribbon and small monetary prize.