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The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District recently held the judging and awards presentation for their Annual Youth Photography Contest. This year’s contest marked the eighth year the contest was held. There are two divisions in which students compete in, Division I is for students in Grades 9^th-12^th and Division II is for students in Grades 6^th-8^th. The categories in which students enter photos are Trees and Plants, Landscapes, Wildlife, and Rural Life. Photos were judged on composition, originality, and effectiveness of conveying the theme of the category. This year’s judge was Ms. Tamera Talbert of Tamera Talbert Photography in Gilbert, SC.

Each first place winner received a $50 cash award, each second place winner received a $25 cash award, and each honorable mention winner received a magazine subscription to the S.C. Wildlife Magazine, as well as a certificate. Winners received their awards at the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District’s Annual Banquet that was held on Thursday, May 13^th, 2010 at T&S Farms. The winning photos were displayed at the annual banquet and are displayed below. Awards are made possible by our wonderful affiliate members’ donations.

Division I Photography Winners

Pictured left to right: Alice Stevens, Reagan Burroughs, Kara Kleckley; Larry Nates, Lexington SWCD Commissioner and Awards Presenter; Joseph Mader, and Anderson Breeland. Not pictured are Rebekah Muckenfuss, Alex Albrecht, Taylor Wright, and Nicholas Rypkema.

Division II Photography Winners

Pictured left to right are Matthew Drafts, Kara Kleckley, Drew Moore, and Hunter Moore. Larry Nates, Lexington SWCD Commissioner and Awards Presenter, is in the back, behind Kara and Drew. Not pictured are Ally Taylor and Douglas Dooley, Jr.

The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District proudly announces the recipients of the 2010 scholarships. The district offered two scholarships this year, but three were awarded due to financial need and the quality of applicants. The scholarships were in the amounts of $1,000 and $500. The scholarships were available to senior high school students in Lexington County interested in pursuing careers in the conservation field.

Jacob Brown, a senior who attends Lexington High School, is the recipient of the $1,000 scholarship. He has served as Treasurer of the Lexington Technology Center FFA Chapter and has participated on the Floriculture, Tractor Driving, and Wildlife Management Career Development Event (CDE) Teams. He is a member of the National Technical Honors Society and is an Umpire for the Lexington Dixie Baseball. Jacob has learned the importance of soil and water by enjoying the outdoors through playing sports and hunting. He realizes that demands on our natural resources are becoming greater by the day and that our society needs these resources in order to live. He has learned that we must protect and conserve our flora and fauna on this earth. As a result of his love for the outdoors and the need to protect our natural resources, Jacob has decided to major in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology by attending the Bridge to Clemson University at Tri-County Technical College in the Fall. His proud parents are Rob and Jana Brown of Lexington.

Katie Davis, a senior who attends Batesburg-Leesville High School, is the recipient of one of the $500 scholarships. She has served as Secretary of the Beta Club and Vice-President of the Art Honor Society. She is a member of the FFA, Spanish Honor Society, Yearbook Staff, Science Club, and Women’s Varsity Tennis. She is a member of the family band, which is called the Tom Branch Band. Katie has grown up in a rural farm environment, where she realizes the importance of our natural resources. She stated in her scholarship application that, “As a society, we must find a way to protect our environmental systems while giving people the quality of life they desire”. She believes these resources need to be well managed for their preservation. Katie will be attending the Bridge to Clemson University at Tri-County Technical College in the Fall, where she plans to major in Food Science and Nutrition. Her proud parents are Jeffrey and Ruth Davis of Batesburg-Leesville.

Brooke Whitaker, a senior who attends Pelion High School, is the recipient of the second $500 scholarship. She has served as Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Pelion FFA Chapter and has participated in the Soils and Wildlife Management Career Development Event (CDE) Teams. She is a member of the Student Council, Prom Committee, and Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). Brooke has grown up in the country, where she has gained a great appreciation for the outdoors. Through her involvement in the FFA, she has developed a better understanding and a greater appreciation for our environment, especially for agriculture and wildlife. Brooke will be attending Midlands Technical College in the Fall and plans to transfer to Clemson University to major in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology. Her proud parents are Jimmie and Christi Whitaker of Lexington.

Scholarships were presented to Jacob, Katie, and Brooke by Brent Weaver, Associate Commissioner, of the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District during the District’s Annual Awards Banquet that was held on Thursday, May 13^th, 2010 at T&S Farms. The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District would like to thank each of the students who applied for the scholarships this year. The District congratulates all graduating seniors and wishes them the best as they prepare for their future!

Pictured from Left to Right: Jacob Brown, Brooke Whitaker, Katie Davis, and Brent Weaver, Associate Commissioner of the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District.

The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District presented numerous awards at their Annual Awards Banquet that was held on Thursday, May 13th, 2010 at T&S Farm in Batesburg-Leesville, SC. Awards presented were the Youth Photography Awards, Scholarships, and four special recognition awards, which are highlighted in this article.

The first award was the Conservation Leadership Award. The award was presented by Kathy Hensley, Commissioner on the Lexington SWCD Board; to the Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission for their vision and leadership in planning and installing a Wetlands Preserve at Saluda Shoals Park in Irmo, SC. The Wetlands Preserve was opened to the public on Thursday, March 25th, 2010. The Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District, in partnership with the East Piedmont RC&D Council donated a Wetlands Sign for the Wetlands Preserve.

Pictured from Left to Right is: Mr. Jay Downs, Kathy Hensley, and Mr. Bruce Loveless.

The second award was the Urban Forestry Award. The award was presented by Rhett Bickley, Chair of the Lexington SWCD Board; to the Town of Lexington for their leadership and protection of our Urban Forest. The Town of Lexington has been been successful in planting and preserving trees in the town limits of Lexington for numerous years. The Town of Lexington has been recognized by the Arbor Day Society for the past 22 years as a Tree City. On behalf of the Town of Lexington, Mr. Dan Walker, who is the Director of Parks, Recreation, and Sanitation for the Town of Lexington, accepted the award.

The third award was a Conservation Education Award. The award was presented by Fred Taylor, Commissioner on the Lexington SWCD Board; to Ms. Glenda Swearingen-Foy for her Ecology Workshop and Fishing Tournament called "Critters in the Creek". Ms. Foy's workshop is open to youth in 1st through 12th grades and teaches them about the different animals found in a creek and their importance to the ecosystem. The youth are able to explore the creek and participate in a fishing tournament at the conclusion of the workshop. The "Critters in the Creek" Workshop is held in April of each year at Saluda Shoals Park.

The last award was the Chair's Special Recognition Award. It was presented by Rhett Bickley to Fred Taylor, who served the past two years (2008 and 2009) as the Chair of the Lexington SWCD Board. Rhett thanked Fred for his service, leadership, and dedication to the Lexington Soil and Water Conservation District.

This year's banquet was a success due to our everyone who attended the banquet. The district received lots of compliments on the banquet and greatly appreciates them. The district would like to thank Alivia Gunter for all the planning and preparations that went into the banquet. She did an outstanding job on the Banquet Programs, Youth Photography Certificates, and putting together the Youth Photography Power Points.