BOSTON — State Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Commissioner Jim Montgomery is encouraging Massachusetts fifth-graders to participate in the agency’s 2021 Arbor Day Poster Contest.
Fifth-graders from across the state who are currently enrolled in both public and private schools, or who are home-schooled, can participate in the contest by creating posters that illustrate this year’s theme, “The Trees Out Our Window.” According to a DCR press release, posters must be submitted by March 15.
“Every tree is unique with an important role in keeping our environment healthy, and I’m pleased that each year fifth-graders capture this importance by participating in the Department of Conservation and Recreation’s annual Arbor Day Poster Contest,” Montgomery said. “I look forward to 2021’s inspiring entries from students throughout the commonwealth bringing to life this year’s theme ‘The Trees Out Our Window.’”
Students will submit a poster entry at their school, which will host a poster contest to determine the winner, according to the release. The winning poster from each school will be submitted to DCR for review, and the agency will select and announce a winner on Arbor Day, April 30. Home-schooled or non-participating school students are asked to submit their posters to DCR and enter the contest individually.
First place prizes include a tree planting ceremony at the winner’s school, a certificate for art and science supplies, and more, the release states. Second place, third place and honorable mention winners will also receive art and science supplies.
“This year particularly we are all looking forward to spring,” said Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Commissioner Jeffrey Riley. “The Arbor Day Contest combines creative outlet with scientific study, a winning combination. I hope all of our fifth-graders will be encouraged to enter.”
The DCR Urban and Community Forestry Program, with support from the U.S. Forest Service and the Massachusetts Tree Wardens’ and Foresters’ Association, sponsors the annual contest. An Arbor Day Poster Contest Guide is available on the DCR website at bit.ly/3sDGb3h, or can be obtained by contacting Mollie Freilicher, 413-577-2966 or mollie.freilicher@mass.gov.
GREENFIELD — The Franklin County Bar Association Community Fund has announced its plans to award a Thomas W. Merrigan Memorial Scholarship, in the amount of $1,000 each, to two deserving high school students in Franklin County. The deadline to apply is April 2.
To qualify for the scholarship, an applicant must be a Franklin County resident, a senior in high school and in pursuit of post-secondary education of any kind, according to a Franklin County Bar Association press release. The application has been sent to all area schools and is available on the association’s website, franklincountybar.org, or by emailing fcbar@franklincountybar.org.
According to the release, the Scholarship Committee will consider academic achievement and quality of an essay. The essay prompt is reflective of the American Bar Association Law Day 2020 theme: “Advancing the Rule of Law Now.”
The scholarships honor Thomas W. Merrigan, who was a zealous legal advocate, writer and believer in the importance of education.
For more information, contact Executive Director Christine Baronas at fcbar@franklincountybar.org or 413-773-9839.
AGAWAM — The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Western Massachusetts is holding a virtual art and poetry show featuring the work of those living with mental health conditions, and is seeking submissions through March 31.
Artists are asked to send a JPEG image of their art, and poets should send their poems, to information@namiwm.org. Each accepted submission will be featured on the NAMI website, namiwm.org, and on the organization’s YouTube page.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for artists with lived experience of mental illness to have a showcase for their work,” a NAMI press release reads. “It is an important opportunity to educate the public about the lives, creativity and abilities of individuals in the Western Massachusetts community who are affected by this often stigmatized illness.”
To inquire about buying a piece of featured artwork, call 413-786-9139.
GREENFIELD — The League of Women Voters of Franklin County will host a virtual “Legislative Coffee” with state Reps. Natalie Blais and Paul Mark, and state Sens. Jo Comerford and Adam Hinds, on Saturday at 10 a.m. The event will be held via Zoom.
“Whether constituents are concerned about the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, or any one of the thousands of bills filed last month on Beacon Hill, this is their opportunity to discuss those concerns with our legislators,” remarked Marie Gauthier, president of the League of Women Voters of Franklin County. “We always enjoy these conversations, and encourage the public to join us with their questions.”
To receive a link to this free event, email lwvfranklincounty@gmail.com.