Penny Atkinson, a fifth-grader at Howard R. Driggs Elementary School, was honored by the Granite School District Board of Education Tuesday as the national winner of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. poster contest.
Atkinson, who entered the contest as a fourth grader, won the grand prize for her original artwork of Smokey Bear, besting students across the country.
“Penny may be small in stature but she is an amazing person,” said Principal Ben Peters.
Each year, children from first through fifth grade are invited to participate in the National Garden Clubs, Inc. poster contest.
The U.S. Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. give students the opportunity to demonstrate their understanding of wildfire prevention and environmental conservation by creating original drawings of Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl.