PRESCOTT – Prescott students in fifth grade ELA Extensions classes diligently prepared, presented, and recorded three- to five-minute speeches for the 2023 Conservation Awareness Speaking Contest sponsored by Wisconsin Land & Water Conservation, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, and the Pierce County Land Conservation Department. The speeches were required to promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality by addressing topics such as soil and water conservation with a specific emphasis on how it affects Pierce County.

Participants from Prescott Intermediate School included fifth grade students Parker Gallant, Sydney Wimber, Westley Drew, Brexton Cole, Zachary Foulks, Owen Johnson, Sam Martin, Vera Martin, Henry Steffen, Lauren Wall, Maeve Hasselquist, Rainer Haeg, Kenzie Ward, and Aubree Shanley. Cardinal Quest Coordinator Michelle Jansen facilitated participation in the contest.

The Pierce County Land & Water Conservation Department awarded second place in the county to Aubree Shanley for her speech on water pollution. First place in the Pierce County Elementary Division went to Maeve Hasselquist for her informative speech about wild parsnip. Hasselquist will represent Pierce County and the region in the state contest on March 1 in Wisconsin Dells. Congratulations to all tremendous and dedicated speakers!