Rehoboth Elementary’s Madelyn Fischinskie feted
Rehoboth Elementary’s Madelyn Fischinskie was recognized as the Sussex County fifth-grade poster contest winner at the Delaware Forest Service’s annual Arbor Day celebration April 26 at Abbott’s Mill Nature Center.
Madelyn and other award-winning students from across Delaware joined family members, teachers, legislators and cabinet officials at the event, which included a tree-planting ceremony.
This year’s poster theme, Trees are Terrific … For Outdoor Adventures! highlights the importance of getting outside.
Delaware State Forester Kyle Hoyd said it has been amazing to see the growth in educational programming around Arbor Day, and the involvement of students and schools in the annual contest over the past 20 years.
“These two events have become centerpieces to the Delaware Forest Service’s educational programming, helping to increase awareness in youth and, in turn, their families, as they learn and share how trees and conservation help improve the quality of life we enjoy in our communities, and are critical to maintaining a strong ecosystem,” Hoyd said.
This year’s contest attracted entries from more than 70 schools, with more than 5,300 students participating.
“I have pushed very hard to extend opportunities for learning outside of the classroom,” said Secretary of Education Mark Holodick. “I think we all appreciate the fact that when you learn things in a classroom, that knowledge becomes a skill out in the community, like today when you actually plant trees; that’s when you remember things the most.”
Posters were judged on originality, theme use, neatness and artistic expression. Each winner received a gift card, a tree-themed book and a tree planting at their school. Twelve winners were selected from each county in four grade categories, and from those 12 winners, the judges selected the overall state winner.
