POLSON — Given the region’s rampant wildfire activity this year, educating the public about fire prevention is as important as ever.  Luckily, hundreds of elementary school students throughout the Mission Valley have brushed up on the key tenets of fire safety, thanks to their participation in the 2012 Smokey Bear Drawing Contest.

A total of 423 grade schoolers in the area submitted hand-drawn 11 x 17 inch posters featuring Smokey Bear and his iconic mantra of “Only YOU can prevent forest fires,” or the U.S. Forest Service’s other lovable mascot, Woodsy Owl, and his conservation message of “Lend a hand, care for the land.”

The fun and informative nationwide contest was sponsored by the Department of the Interior, and was organized at the local level by project coordinator Monty Marengo along with help from CSKT Division of Fire Chief Curt Matt, who doubled as prevention coordinator for the event.

The kids involved weren’t the only ones to benefit from the competition. Despite the hard work required to run the contest, Marengo describes his administrative experience as “the most enjoyable thing I ever did” and hopes participation will grow in years to come.

“It was a good experience (for the kids). They learned a lot about Smokey and fire prevention,” said Marengo.

Marengo noted that there are approximately 75,000 forest fires in the United States each year, and that almost half are preventable.

“Even if the contest stops two or three fires a year in our area, it’s worth it,” said Marengo.

All participants who entered a poster into the competition received a certificate of appreciation. Several outstanding submissions received additional distinction at an awards ceremony held at KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson last Wednesday (see list of winners below).

The winner’s circle included a couple pairs of siblings, as Malacye and Jacob Piapot of NKwUSM took top honors at the kindergarten level, while Anika and Kara Steiner of Polson topped the third and fifth grade entrants, respectively.

Meanwhile, a trio of Dayton students swept the first grade awards and Polson fifth graders also succeeded in claiming the top three spots on the podium.

Fifth grade winner Kara Steiner received a $50 cash prize after having her artwork chosen as Best in Show. Steiner says she spent over eight hours crafting her masterpiece. Fellow Polson fifth graders Ellie Ayers and Kinsey Brookman also received $25 apiece for their pieces, named as runners-up in the Best in Show category.

Students honored for their winning posters will advance to the statewide contest held in Missoula in January. Winning submissions in Missoula will proceed to the regional competition, where a trip to Washington, D.C. for the national showcase will be on the line.

Below is a complete list of local winners:

Kindergarten:

1st- Malacye Piapot, NKwUSM-Arlee

2nd- Jacob Piapot, NKwUSM-Arlee

3rd- Isaac Learn, Dayton

First grade:

1st- Kaydee Wheeler, Dayton

2nd- Ryder Judd, Dayton

3rd- Kamryn Johnson, Dayton

Second grade:

1st- Mystery Lynn Little, Charlo

2nd- Lily Detinne, Hot Springs

3rd- Shelby Learn, Valley View

Third grade:

1st- Anika Steiner, Polson

2nd- Shelby Tryon, Charlo

3rd- Rylie Lindquist, Ronan

Fourth grade:

1st- Pasqual Yarlott, Polson

2nd- Maggie Wurster, Pablo

3rd- Savannah Roosma, Hot Springs

Fifth grade:

1st- Kara Steiner, Polson

2nd- Juliana Marengo, Polson

3rd- Shannen Helm, Polson