Statewide “Be Aware of New York Agriculture” contest winners announced

Cows, chickens, apples, grapes, milk, maple syrup, and other products of New York State’s agricultural industry are the subjects of the forty prizewinning paintings, posters, poems, and stories submitted by elementary students across New York in the twelfth annual New York Agriculture in the Classroom “Be Aware of New York Agriculture” contest.  

Nearly 500 entries were sent on to the state level, representing hundreds more from county contests, schools, and home school families. The categories for the different grade levels – Pre-K though 6 - include artwork, slogans, poems, stories, essays, and posters that help students learn about the importance of agriculture to New York.  Winners in each category receive prizes ranging from T-shirts to savings bonds, and the winning entries will be displayed at the New York State Fair in the Youth Building. 

Members of Sigma Alpha, Cornell University’s professional agriculture sorority, judged the entries. Teacher guides and student WebQuests are available at the Ag in the Classroom website to help teachers make the contest both fun and educational.

New York Agriculture in the Classroom and the New York Farm Bureau Foundation for Agricultural Education have sponsored the Be Aware of New York Agriculture Contest since 1996. New York Agriculture in the Classroom is a partnership of Cornell University, NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, NYS Education Department, and NY Farm Bureau. The program works with cooperative extension educators, teachers, and Farm Bureau members throughout the state to foster an understanding of agriculture and the food system.

Preschool

1^st: Janey Ginley, YMCA of Saratoga, Saratgoa County

2^nd: Emma Suplicki, Nativity Nursery School, Erie County

3rd: Madeleine Turton, Maryvale Primary School, Erie County

Hon. Mention: Marley Agen, Maryvale Primary School, Erie County

Hon. Mention: Annabelle Cittadino, YMCA of Saratoga, Saratoga County

Kindergarten

1st: Tyler Northrup, Prattsburgh Central School, Steuben County

2nd: Emma Russell, Delevan Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

3rd: Mollee Thorington, New Life Christian School, Cattaraugus County

Hon. Mention: Marissa Whitrock, Cattaraugus Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

Hon. Mention: Sam Benzel, Cattaraugus Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

1st Grade

1st:  Taylor Coonelly, Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School, Orleans County

2nd: Jacob Fuller, Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School, Orleans County

3rd: Brandon Vedella, St. Stephen School, Erie County

Hon. Mention: Connor McQuillan, Ronald L. Sodoma Elementary School, Orleans County

Hon. Mention: Jenée Lushy, Mt. Markham School, Herkimer County

2^nd Grade

1st:  Nicholas Losh, Homeschool, Cortland County

2nd: David Foran, African Road Elementary School, Broome County

3rd: Abigale Patric, Arkport Central School, Steuben County

Hon. Mention: Deanna Sanyshin, Caryl E. Adams School, Broome County

Hon. Mention: Delia Blough, Arkport Central School, Steuben County

3rd Grade

1st:  Ronald Loss, St. Stephen School, Erie County

2nd: Eric Siemucha, Lewiston-Porter Central School, Niagara County

3rd: Megan Frey, Lewiston-Porter Central School, Niagara County

Hon. Mention: Mikaela Prygon, Lewiston-Porter Central School, Niagara County

Hon. Mention: Brooke McDonald, Lewiston-Porter Central School, Niagara County

4th Grade

1st:  Allexus Hammond, Delevan Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

2nd: Cortney Pusateri, Delevan Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

3rd: Sarah Foran, African Road Elementary School, Broome County

Hon. Mention: McKenzie Carlson, Palmyra Elementary School, Wayne County

Hon. Mention: Eva Gingerich, Delevan Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

5th grade

1st: Jaskirat Singh, Homer Intermediate School, Cortland County

2nd: Connor Haldane, Homer Intermediate School, Cortland County

3rd: Claudia McGlew, Cattaraugus Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

Hon. Mention: Jessica Pritchard, Cattaraugus Elementary School, Cattaraugus County

Hon. Mention: Quinton Tarbell, Homeschool, Genesee County

6th Grade

1st:  Susie Waltz, Cincinnatuus Central School, Genesee County

2nd: Jarron Widrick, Beaver River Sentral School, Lewis County

3rd: Patrick Grein, Holy Trinity School, Dutchess County

Hon. Mention: Elizabeth Golicki, Cincinnatuus Central School, Genesee County