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River of Words - 2005

Each year, in affiliation with River of Words, the Sacramento River Watershed Program conducts a free poetry and art contest for youth on the theme of watersheds. The contest is designed to help youth explore the natural and cultural history of the place they live, and to express, through poetry and art, what they discover.

By deepening children’s understanding of nature through art and words, “we’re trying to grow a generation of earth stewards,” said Pamela Michael, the executive director of River of Words. “If you give children a chance to make a connection to the place they live in and the natural world, then their behaviors are nurturing and appropriate… and creativity generates art and solutions to real problems.”

River of Words, a non-profit organization based out of Berkeley, CA, sponsors the annual international contest. The Sacramento River Watershed Program partners with River of Words and conducts a local contest for entries received within the Sacramento River Watershed and Delta. This year, artwork and poetry submissions were judged by Sacramento River Watershed Program staff and Board of Trustees. The Sacramento River Watershed Program received over 160 poems and works of art this year and chose a grand prize and finalist for each of the four categories. All winners receive gift certificates and other prizes. Winning artwork and poetry will also be showcased at the Sacramento River Watershed Program’s annual stakeholder meeting this fall.

Thanks to all of the kids for their entries and congratulations to the following winners!

Click on the artwork to see a large image.

Art Winners

Grand Prizes

Grades K - 2		Grades 3-6		Grades 7-9		Grades 10-12
Swimming Day Nick Albert Age 8, Grade 2 Durham Elementary Durham, CA		Falling Creek Rachel Klassen Age 11, Grade 6 Willett Elementary Davis, CA Teacher: Kim Mann		Winter Trees William Chour Age 13, Grade 8 Elkhorn Elementary Stockton, CA Teacher: Sharie Goodfellow		Safety in Numbers Jennifer Rodriguez Age 15 , Grade 10 Alternative Learning Center Stockton, CA Teacher: Linda Driver

Finalists

Grades K - 2		Grades 3-6		Grades 7-9		Grades 10-12
Road Home Austyn R. Carpenter Age 7, Grade 2 Hornbrook School Oroville, CA		Baby turtle by the ocean Arista Ray Datra Age 9, Grade 4 Madison Elementary Stockton, CA Teacher: Julia Schart		My Backyard Rachel Carpenter Age 12, Grade 7 Home School Oroville, CA		Indian Village Satinderjet Nijjar Age 15, Grade 10 Bear Creek High School Stockton, CA Teacher: Dan Riordan

Poetry Winners

Grand Prizes

Grades K - 2		Grades 3-6		Grades 7-9		Grades 10-12
Salmon Travel Scott Relf Durham, CA [View poem]		Sarah Sadler Davis, CA [View poem]		Maddelynn Copper Durham, CA [View poem]		Jacquelyn Jackson Stockton, CA [View poem]

Finalists

Grades K - 2		Grades 3-6		Grades 7-9		Grades 10-12
Sierra Skye Root Chico, CA [View poem]		Jennie Hawkins Davis, CA [View poem]		Ryan Schreiber Valley Springs, CA [View poem]		Heather Ross Lodi, CA [View poem]