The 2026 Shawano County Land Conservation Poster Contest drew 133 entries from six schools, with the winners recognized at the March 25 meeting of the Shawano County Board.
“Soil. Where it all Begins” was the theme.
The contest is part of a national contest, broken down to state contests, and in Wisconsin divided into eight areas. Shawano County is part of the Lake Michigan Area, Scott Frank, Shawano County conservationist, told supervisors.
Two local students also saw their posters win at the Lake Michigan Area contest, and one won the statewide contest and will compete at the national level.
Winners are:
Grades K-1: Lennon Durie, Sacred Heart, first place; Hallie Wild, Sacred Heart, second; Hadlynn Kast, Sacred Heart, third.
Grades 2-3: Karsyn Krause, Bonduel, first; Benson Arndt, Rural Virtual Academy, second; Olivia Kast, Sacred Heart, third.
Grades 4-6: Ella Layher, St. James, first; Eli Steffen, Bowler, second; Hailey Retzlaff, St. James, third.
Grades 7-9: Melina Estrada-House, Bowler, first; Brooklyn Wright, St. James, second; Emery Casson, Bowler, third.
Grades 10-12: Brianna Adkins, Marion, first; Sienna Henry, Bowler, second; Jessa Hartleben, Bowler, third.
Krause’s entry also won the Lake Michigan contest and the state contest, and will now be forwarded to the national contest, which will be judged in Las Vegas in February 2027.
Adkins and Durie each won the Lake Michigan contest and placed second at the state competition in their respective divisions.
Estrada-House placed first at the Lake Michigan contest.
Layher’s entry placed second in the Lake Michigan contest.
County staff helped judge the contest.
kpasson@newmedia-wi.com
