The Bar Harbor Garden Club proudly announced the local student winners of the 2023 Smokey Bear Poster Contest and Youth Poetry Contest at award ceremonies at the students’ local schools.
Left to Right: Pam Bowie, Bar Harbor Garden Club Youth Activities chairperson; Emma Grickis holding her winning Smokey Bear poster and award certificates; Susan Raven, Pemetic Elementary School Third Grade Teacher.
Emma Grickis, a third grade student in Ms. Susan Raven’s third-grade class at Pemetic Elementary School in Southwest Harbor, created the Smokey Bear poster that received triple First Place honors from the local, state and regional levels. This recognition included the local Bar Harbor Garden Club, the Garden Club Federation of Maine (GCFM), and the New England Garden Clubs, Inc. Emma is the daughter of Rachel and Kevin Grickis of Southwest Harbor. Emma shared, “I like doing clay, a lot of drawing, and painting. I also like crafting and fishing. I like making all sorts of stuff.”
Harold Coombs IV with his winning poem “Bees”.
Talented first graders from Ms. Kristen Braun’s first grade class at Trenton Elementary School participated in the Youth Poetry Contest sponsored by the Bar Harbor Garden Club. This year’s theme was “Seeds, Trees and Bees…Oh My – Celebrating the Diversity of Nature.”
Our local winner was Harold Coombs IV, son of Jane and Harold E. Coombs III of Trenton. Harold’s poem entitled “Bees” was also recognized for First Place state honors by the GCFM. Harold enjoys playing the video game Roblox, reading Dr. Seuss books, and hiking in nature with his family.
Congratulations to our talented youth in their special endeavors!
The Bar Harbor Garden Club is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, New England Garden Clubs, Inc., and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Photography courtesy of the Bar Harbor Garden Club and Ms. Kristen Braun.