Every year, the Soil & Water Conservation Districts host a series of contests aimed at nurturing environmental awareness among the youth, including Poster, Essay, Speech, and PowerPoint competitions. In Jones County, the Poster Contest stands out for its popularity, particularly among 3rd to 5th graders. Participants adhere to an annually changing theme and are initially judged at their schools, securing positions from first to third place. The winners then advance to the district level, where they are assessed again to determine the top three. Successful entrants move on to the Area 6 spring meeting, encompassing 12 counties, before finally reaching the state level.

It is with great pride that we announce Paxton Banks from Pollocksville Elementary School as the first-place winner of this year's district-level Poster Contest. Remarkably, this marks Paxton's third consecutive victory, showcasing his exceptional talent and creativity in this arena. Although this year signifies his final eligibility for the Poster Contest, Paxton's journey doesn't end here. He has the opportunity to engage in the Essay, Speech, and PowerPoint contests up until his 12th grade, promising a bright future in the subsequent competitions.