When Christopher Sayler, a seventh-grader at Hillcrest Adventist Elementary in Jamestown, North Dakota, started working on his Keep North Dakota Clean poster in January 2015, it was hard for him to imagine seeing it on a billboard in the middle of town. The theme for seventh-graders was North Dakota Waters: Keep Them Clean.
Chris took this theme and ran with it. In his artwork, he shows a team laboring together to clean up litter from the water. It includes a scuba diver, boat drivers and even fish collecting trash. With its vibrant colors and the theme title in large yellow letters, travelers are sure to notice the message as they drive down First Avenue.
Last April Chris attended a special luncheon along with his parents, Curt and Carla Sayler; siblings, Ciarra, Ceyonna, Cephuriah; and teacher Mrs. RaeLea Frishman. It was held at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, North Dakota, north of Bismarck.
After eating a delicious meal, the first, second and third place winners of each grade were presented with a medallion and monetary prize as well as a special printed copy of their poster. They also had the privilege of meeting Betsy Dalrymple, the first lady of North Dakota. She shared words of inspiration with the students and thanked them for their contribution to this worthy cause. Mrs. Darlymple also took time for a picture with each of the winners and their teachers. As a part of the special day, they received free admission to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan.
Keep North Dakota Clean is an organization whose purpose is to educate and inform North Dakotans about preserving the natural beauty of the state. This organization incorporates several different aspects including preventing wildfires, recycling, protecting wildlife habitats, preventing runoff pollution, and removing litter to increase water quality.
One of the forms of advertising for KNDC is through the annual poster contest. The poster created by the first place winner of each grade is displayed on a billboard near their hometown. This now allows for Chris and his family and friends to celebrate his creative artwork every time they pass by.
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RaeLea Frishman teaches grades 5-8 at Hillcrest Adventist Elementary in Jamestown, North Dakota.
