County students honored in trails poster contest

The prize-winning and honorable mention posters from the Carson Valley Trails Association's Hike for Health Children's Poster Art Contest will be displayed at two Douglas County Public Library locations throughout the month of May. The subject of the posters is trails, nature and hiking for health.

The Minden Library, 1625 Library Lane, has the following posters on display:

-- Best of Show winner: Kevin Roberts, senior, Douglas High School

-- FourthÐ through sixth-grade winner: Dominique Groffman, fourth-grade, Piñon Hills Elementary

-- SeventhÐ through ninth-grade winner: Amanda Nelson, eighth-grade, Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School

-- FirstÐ through third-grade honorable mention: Jessie Jin, first-grade Gardnerville Elementary: Haleigh Williams, third-grade, Gardnerville Elementary School

-- FourthÐ through sixth-grade honorable mention: Keith Becker, fifth-grade, Piñon Hills Elementary School; Katelin Didero Mills, sixth grade, Minden Elementary School

-- 10thÐ through 12th-grade honorable mention: Elysia Zusi-Russell, junior, Douglas High School; Heather Lathrop, junior, Douglas High School

The Lake Tahoe Branch, 233 Warrior Way, Zephyr Cove, has the following posters on display:

-- FirstÐ through third-grade winner: Kelsey Kjer, third-grade, Zephyr Cove Elementary

-- 10thÐ through 12th-grade winner: Wendy Barrientos, junior, Whittell High School

-- FirstÐ through third-grade honorable mention: Courtney Bobo, third grade, Zephyr Cove Elementary

-- SeventhÐ through ninth-grade honorable mention: Daisy Arellano, ninth grade, George Whittell High School; Vianey Garcia, ninth grade, Whittell High School

-- 10thÐ through 12th-grade honorable mention: Tiffani Costantini, senior, Whittell High School

"We are thrilled by the participation in our first Children's Poster Art Contest," said CVTA president Kerstin Wolle. "We hope these students have been inspired to go hiking with their friends and families as a result of creating their Hike for Health posters. Their poster slogans - Hike for Your Heart, Any Body Can Hike, Hike for Health, For a Healthy Body ... Take a Hike and Take a Hike are positive messages promoting a healthy lifestyle."

The winners received their prizes at the Carson Valley Trails Association's April 17 Hike for Health Celebration. All of the 322 posters entered in the contest were displayed at the event. The four first-prize winners received backpacks filled with hiking supplies. The best of show winner received a $100 cash prize. All contest participants received certificates of participation, either at the event or at their schools. Zephyr Cove Elementary School, which had the most poster contest entries, received $250 for the school's art program.

The Carson Valley Trails Association is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization. The mission of the organization is obtaining legal access to Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service trails and property for hiking, mountain biking and equestrian uses by the public. More information about the organization is available online at www.carsonvalleytrails.org.