Annika Tank of Britton, Grace Eastman of Tyndall, and Emmy Newsam of Murdo are the winning essayists selected from the 998 entries in the 2019 Arbor Day Essay Contest. Sponsored by South Dakota’s conservation districts and South Dakota Department of Agriculture, the contest provides fifth and six grade students the opportunity to write about the importance of Arbor Day and tree planting in South Dakota.
For their efforts, the students win awards and cash prizes in addition to learning more about trees. As first place winner, Tank receives a plaque and $125 in cash. Her school, Britton-Hecla Middle School, will receive $150 for the purchase of supplies or equipment. Eastman, the second place winner, receives a plaque and $100 cash while Newsam receives a plaque and $75 for her third place essay. Tank, Eastman, and Newsam will read their essays and receive their prizes during special Arbor Day celebrations in their hometown areas. All students who entered the contest will receive a packet of tree seeds, courtesy of the SD Dept of Agriculture-Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry.
South Dakota celebrates Arbor Day on the last Friday in April; in 2019, this is April 26. Nebraska newspaper publisher J. Sterling Morton proposed the very first Arbor Day in 1872. On that first Arbor Day, over one million trees were planted in Nebraska.
The Essay Contest has been held in South Dakota for 42 years.
First Place – Annika Tank of Marshall Conservation District
The tree that little girl’s brother made a fort out of.
The tree that gave shade to little girl’s baby sister, while little girl’s mommy planted the tomatoes and cucumbers that little girl’s friends ate when they had play dates.
The tree that was home to the caterpillar that turned into a butterfly that little girl spent hours chasing.
The tree that protected the dog that passed away when little girl was a baby.
The tree that held little girl when she swung in the branches and made crowns out of its leaves.
The tree that’s bark was nipped at when little girl got a new puppy.
The tree that comforted her when her dear grandpa who planted it passed away.
The tree that watched as little girl turned into big girl.
The tree that give little girl inspiration when she filled out her college application.
The tree that waited for little girl to come back.
The tree that watched as little girl’s family built the house for little girl when she came back.
The tree that was chopped down and used as little girl’s bed and little girl’s baby’s bed.
The tree served little girl and little girl’s family by providing oxygen shade, comfort, and protection.
The tree will always protect and comfort little girl.
Second Place – Grace Eastman of BonHomme Conservation District
All over the world, trees roam the Earth. In an orchard or in a forest, you can see trees. Squirrels scurry up the autumn trees.
Underneath the mahogany branches rest a fox all snuggled up. In a neighboring tree lies a woodpecker making a nest.
High up in an apple tree is a girl gazing at an autumn sight, colors popping everywhere. A harmonious tune is sung by birds up above.
The sweet tune glistens in her ears. The cold breeze kisses her cheek as she grabs an apple and bites it.
In Australia, a koala bear climbs an eucalyptus tree. She climbs to the top to eat its juicy leaves. She hands some to her son.
In the rain forest, at the top of a tree, a sweet baby sloth and her mother rest. She glances at the toucan, perched on a branch. The toucan has some eggs in her nest. There is a shutter of noise from the nest. Crack! The glossy eggs hatch. What a beautiful sight!
By the snow-capped mountains, in the valley below is a forest with plenty of trees. The trees are like a blanket for the river below peeking through. The sun smiles down upon the valley.
As you can see, trees are loved all over the world. So today we celebrate and plant trees all over the world. Together we stand today.
Happy Arbor Day!
Third Place – Emmy Newsam of Jones Conservation District
Trees with green leaves
Trees covered in dew
Trees are important
For me and you.
Trees give us fresh fruit
And send us clean air.
They’re quite astonishing
And we must take good care.
We celebrate Arbor Day
To remind us how trees stand.
Trees are truly amazing
And really just grand.
In order to keep trees
We must plant them here and there
And because they provide oxygen
It would only be fair.
Animals have homes in trees
Critters of all shapes and sizes.
They really are wondrous
And have many surprises.
I’ve told the tale of trees
And now let me say
Be thankful for them
And happy Arbor Day!
