Winners of 2024 Jim Claypool Art and Conservation Writing Contest announced
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Two local names are among the winners of the 2024 Jim Claypool Art Contest.
Two annual competitions include an art contest for students in kindergarten through fifth grade and a writing contest for students in grades six through 12.
The 2024 theme was “Protecting the Forest Together,” which helped students across Kentucky learn more about the importance of forestry and forest health. The students used what they learned about the environment and turned it into creative artwork and essays.
According to a release by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet, the following winners have been announced:
The Conservation Writing Contest, originally introduced in 1944, received over 10,000 entries from 73 counties this year. The state and area winners are:
- State First Place – Varshitha Ramesh, Franklin County
- State Second Place – Evan Hamilton, Henry County
- State Third Place – Abbigail McBride, Calloway County
- Area 1 – Gracie Byrd, Hickman County
- Area 2 – Raynei Roy, Webster County
- Area 3 – Jameson Pena-Santos, LaRue County
- Area 4 – Everly Easterling, Oldham County
- Area 5 – Evelyn Arrowood, Campbell County
- Area 6 – Kaitlin Rulon, Mercer County
- Area 7 – Draven Strunk, Wayne County
- Area 8 – Naomi Lane, Fleming County
- Area 9 – Scarlett Huddleston, Leslie County
The Jim Claypool Art Contest, first introduced in 1974, received over 32,000 entries from 81 counties this year. The state and area winners include:
- State First Place – Penny Dixon, Greenup County
- State Second Place – Laney Gardner, Oldham County
- State Third Place – Lydia Perkins, Barren County
- Area 1 – Mackenzie Jones, Graves County
- Area 2 – Kaitlyn Green, Muhlenberg County
- Area 3 – Heer Patel, Metcalfe County
- Area 4 – Hilario Roblero, Shelby County
- Area 5 – Luna Collins, Grant County
- Area 6 – Kicker Freedman, Boyle County
- Area 7 – Emma Gipson, Taylor County
- Area 8 – Ellouise Short, Lawrence County
- Area 9 – Kadence Ray, Harlan County
