22 Dec 2016 Students recognized at Arbor Day celebration

The City of Conway hosted the 2016 Arbor Day celebration Nov. 5 in Laurel Park.

Sponsored by Conway Corporation and hosted by the City of Conway Tree Board, the annual event attracts more than 500 people each year. Participants enjoyed free family-friendly activities including face-painting, craft activities, tree adoption, bounce houses and an art display.

Winners in the Arbor Day Young Artists Award Contest were also recognized:

• Rori Cure – Second grade, Theodore Jones Elementary. Art teacher: Sally Allinder.

• Brandon Jolly – Third grade, Theodore Jones Elementary. Art teacher: Sally Allinder.

• Morghan Jones – Jim Stone Elementary. Art teacher: Stacy Hammons.

• Mallory King – Second grade, Woodrow Cummins Elementary. Art teacher: Allison Bowen.

• Claire Longing – Jim Stone Elementary. Art teacher: Stacy Hammons.

• Abagail Manion – Third grade, Florence Mattison Elementary. Art teacher: Leslie Collier.

• Harper McKeen – First grade, Ellen Smith Elementary. Art teacher: Kay Barlow.

• Charlotte Miller – Seventh grade, Carl Stuart Intermediate. Art teacher: Becky Thornton.

• Jailyn Mims-Crawford – Seventh grade, Bob Courtway Intermediate. Art teacher: Anita Lee.

• Max Owen – Fourth grade, Woodrow Cummins Elementary. Art teacher: Allison Bowen.

• David Pavon – Fifth grade, Simon Intermediate. Art teacher: Will Fisher.

• Angel Reboreda – First grade, Ellen Smith Elementary. Art teacher: Kay Barlow.

• Paige Spriggle – Sixth grade, Simon Intermediate. Art teacher: Will Fisher.

• Amrey Standridge – Fifth grade, Bob Courtway Intermediate. Art teacher: Anita Lee.

• Devin Thomas – Third grade, Florence Mattison Elementary. Art teacher: Leslie Collier.

• McKenzie Tipton – Sixth grade, Bob Courtway Intermediate. Art teacher: Anita Lee.

• Abigail Valdez – Seventh grade, Carl Stuart Intermediate. Art teacher: Becky Thornton.

• Sidney Wisler – Seventh grade, Simon Intermediate. Art teacher: Will Fisher.

“The Conway Tree Board is especially grateful to the community and local businesses who have made the Arbor Day celebration possible each year,” said tree board member Kami Marsh. “Through the purchase of Celebration Trees, as well as the financial support of local sponsors, the community has made it possible for the continued enhancement of the city. These efforts have helped establish Conway as a Tree City USA – demonstrating the continued interest in promoting thoughtful management of the city’s urban forestry resources.”

The Arbor Day tree adoption program is made possible through the collaboration of the City of Conway Tree Board, the Arkansas Forestry Commission, the Conway High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) and the Faulkner County Master Gardeners. The trees were donated by the Arkansas Forestry Commission, or grown from acorns by the Conway High School FFA. The potted saplings were transported to the City of Conway Tree Farm with the help of the Master Gardeners. The Tree Farm, located on Sturgis Road in Conway, sits on approximately three-quarters of an acre and contains nearly 800 sapling trees. One quarter of the trees were given to participants in this year’s Arbor Day celebration. Under the care of Tree Board members and volunteers, the Tree Farm will continue to provide saplings for future Arbor Day celebration events, as well as City of Conway tree canopy projects.

Event sponsors and volunteers include: Conway Corporation, City of Conway Tree Board, Central Baptist College, Faulkner County Master Gardeners, Conway FFA, Faulkner County 4-H, City of Conway (Planning and Development, Parks and Recreation, Sanitation and Recycling Center), Arkansas Forestry Commission, Conway Public Schools, Faulkner County Extension Service, Hiegel Supply, Premium Refreshment, Morrilton Meat Packing, BSW Printing, Conway Copies, Flowers Bakery and Information Network of Arkansas.

For more information on the Conway Arbor Day celebration or the City of Conway Tree Board, visit conwaytrees.org.