For many years the Polk County Soil & Water Conservation District has sponsored sixth-grade students throughout Polk County in the North Carolina Soil and Water Conservation District Association essay contest.

The student with the winning essay from the county is sent to the area contest consisting of 16 counties in western North Carolina. Winners of the area contests are then sent to compete in the final State contest consisting of a total of eight areas.

This year’s winning student is Aislin Salerno, and the winning teacher is John Ruth. Both Aislin and Ruth received cash prizes for their hard work.

Aislin’s essay entitled “Water…the Cycle of Life” will be entered in the Area 1 competition.

– article submitted by Sandra Reid