What's so great about trees?
For starters, trees are a source of food. An apple tree can produce 15-20 bushels of fruit per year. They also clean the air by absorbing odor and pollutant gases. In addition, trees provide oxygen and have even been credited for preserving energy by reducing air-conditioning costs during summer.
Nearly 100 students from the Village of Evergreen Park expressed their appreciation for trees in the 5th annual Arbor Day Creativity Contest sponsored by the Village of Evergreen Park.
Southeast School fifth-grade students Neydelin Rodriguez and Sarah Beyer both earned 1st place awards; Neydelin with a poster, and Sarah with an essay.
"I worked on my poster for almost two weeks," said Neydelin. Her concept didn't come right away. "Once my dad purchased the poster board paper, I spent two hours doodling on it trying to come up with something, then my mom gave me a few ideas and that got me going."
Neydelin said her poster displayed two worlds, one with trees and one without. "I wanted to show how trees are important for our happiness and our health," said Neydelin.
Creativity is something that comes naturally for Neydelin. She said she's been entering and winning contests since she was in Kindergarten. "When my mom told me I won, I just froze and started crying."
"You cried?" questioned Sarah, who was sitting next to her.
"Yes." Responded Neydelin. "I really wanted to win and when I did- it made me so happy, I cried."
Sarah said she didn't know if she'd win or not. This was the first contest she's ever entered. "I'm not really a writer, but I figured since everyone else was entering the contest with posters, I'd increase my chances of winning if I wrote an essay."
Her chances may have increased by changing categories, but it was her talent that won her the 1st place prize.
Sarah said there's an apple tree in her backyard that often lures her eyes through the window. She studies its changes through the seasons. She said it was her source of inspiration for the essay. "My apple tree reminds me of fashion," said Sarah. "With each season it's dressed differently."
Neydelin, Sarah and their families were invited to an award ceremony at the Village Board Meeting on April 18th. "It was really fun getting to meet Mayor Sexton," said Sarah. "I got to shake his hand."
In addition to that honor, a tree was donated by the Village to be planted by the winners on Arbor Day, which fell on April 29th. Both Neydelin and Sarah said they felt proud to have three fifth-grade classes surrounding them when Deputy Director of Public Works of the Village of Evergreen Park, Gavin Yeaman, pulled up with the tree.
Another student worthy of recognition is fourth-grade Northeast student, Samantha Ricks, whom placed 3rd in the Essay contest.
The Arbor Day Creativity Contest was opened to Kindergarten through 8th grade students from the following schools - Central Middle School, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, Queen of Martyrs and Most Holy Redeemer.
"Each year, the ceremony has been a little different. A couple years ago at Central, the winning student, and a few friends helped plant a tree. Last year at Northwest, it seemed like the entire school was at the ceremony. I allow the school staff to decide how involved the students are in the process," said Yeaman.
Yeaman said the contest results are not determined by the Village of Evergreen. "District 124's administrative office collects all entries and submits them to the judging panel at the Evergreen Park Library. The library votes using the submission criteria and submits the winners to the Village," explained Yeaman.
As a result of the Arbor Day Creativity contest, six trees have been planted around Evergreen Park. To view a one-minute video of the Tree Planting Ceremony, click this link. https://youtu.be/AjeJfgVhSeo
Congratulations Neydelin and Sarah; your creativity is helping everyone breathe a little easier.
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