OVERALL ART WINNER A Day of Fun All But Done - Isabella Muser - Freedom Ranch Academy, Colton The Art Contest Overall Winner is Isabella M. of Freedom Ranch Academy in Colton, South Dakota, for her The drawing showcases my favorite things about camping with my family. All of
OVERALL ESSAY WINNER Timeless Ground - Grace Cho - Spearfish Middle School
I sigh in contentment as I lay on my paddleboard, soaking in the sharp, woody aroma of the towering evergreens, the warm sunshine tickling the crystal-clear water, and the sound of real laughter–that is rarely heard before–around me. I am at Custer State Park, a breathtaking glimpse of South Dakota’s true beautiful nature. Though the world around me is changing everyday, state parks will stay and serve as living time capsules for communities now, and generations to come. They are vessels that cherish memories forever. During my most recent visit to Custer State Park, my cousins from South Korea visited South Dakota, they were practically in a whole new world. However, they never knew the true beauty of South Dakota until we took them swimming at the perfectly cool waters of Center Lake, and strolling next to Sylvan Lake in Custer State Park. I will never forget my cousins pointing out and admiring the turtle they saw, nor will I forget the care-free joy on their faces as they tried splashing me with water repeatedly.
preserve wildlife and natural habitats, but because they create a welcoming environment where my family can actually “unplug,” and connect, without the distractions and chaos of modern times. In fact, though I love hiking, paddleboarding, and most other outdoor activities, my most favorite part about every visit to Custer State Park, or any state park, is the peace. The quiet stillness of the world around me. The gentle, calm rippling of the water. The sound of birds chirping, loved ones laughing, and trees swaying. There are no obnoxious cars playing ear-splittingly loud rap music, or constant notifications plaguing phones, but only the tranquil freedom of the great outdoors. All in all, unlike a childhood toy that can go away once you grow out of it, state parks remain unchanged, and they act as a fixed point between generations. I know the power of the fact that, thanks to state parks, I can one day return to the same lake with my own children. State parks are not just flimsy tourist attractions, instead, they are timeless grounds for the memories of future generations.
painting, A Day of Fun All But Done . Through her artwork, Isabella beautifully captures the joy, connection, and lasting memories created through outdoor recreation.
these things such as roasting s’mores and watching the sunset, are things we often do when we camp.
State parks are invaluable to me not only because they
ESSAY FINALISTS
What Has Been Should Always Be – Kendall Sharp - American Horse Academy State parks make sure that nature will always be a part of our world for generations to come because nature was here before us, and it should always be. Treasured Memories – Amanda Glanzer – Volga Christian School On our visit to Palisades last year, we had supper at a playground and my Dad and I were throwing a football. Then, my siblings joined so we played a game, which was fun. Afterwards, we just ran around and played tag. This memory was meaningful because I got to spend time with my family outside and it helped me understand why we should preserve nature. The Enjoyment of Oakwood - Abby Wagner – Hitchcock, Tulare When I finally arrive at Oakwood in the summer, I feel like I have time to breathe.
The Silent Sentinel: A Sensory Journey Through Bear Butte - Heaven Richards – American Horse School There is a profound weight to the silence at the peak, broken only by the steady whistle of the wind – a moment rooted in a deep, personal connection to the earth. The Beauty of State Parks – Claire Jennings – Spearfish Middle School In February, my family and I took a winter day trip to Custer and went for a hike. We hiked a total of 2 1⁄2 miles in a few inches of snow and the temperature was 26 degrees fahrenheit. Trudging through that little bit of snow in snow gear is a lot harder than it sounds. The hike itself was beautiful! My Favorite Camping Spot – Bentlee Nowell – Hitchcock, Tulare I hope when I am a parent or even grandparent, I can take my kids or grandchildren to Lake Thompson. The Bison Crisis – But Not Really – Moriah King – Homeschool, Baltic All of the sudden, my Grandma screamed and tried to roll up her window, but my mom had the child locks on. My Grandma’s window wouldn’t budge. It was stuck open. She started pleading to my mom to shut her window. My mom asked if my grandma was afraid of bison and she shouted “Yes! Now shut my window!” We all started laughing while my mom rolled up her window. We were all aware that bison can be very dangerous. However, my grandma’s overreaction to the quiet, peaceful creatures slowly grazing along the prairie was hilariously dramatic.
ART FINALISTS
Surprise on Lake Thompson – Peter Helkenn – Homeschool, Huron
Icon – Hannah Frederick – Chamberlain School District The wood duck is a North American icon. It is a symbol of success via waterfowl/animal conservation as well as habitat restoration and conservation. In Native American culture, the wood duck is told in Iktomi stories and represented as a symbol of family, love, and loyalty. The species itself is awe- inspiring, not only due to the beautiful colors (in both male and female), but also due to their remarkable comeback from near extinction in the early 1900s. For this project I started with eye and worked with #2, #4, and #6 script brushes and a pack of 8 Color Swell watercolors. Working through the duck, moving to the sky, then the hills to water to grass finishing with deciduous trees. There were times when watercolor pencils were extremely tempting, but I stuck true to the traditional watercolor techniques balancing the pigments and their vehicle to create a peaceful flow throughout the entire painting.
A few of the lakes I have fished are Lake Oahe, Poinsett, Bitter and Waubay. Each lake is home to many species of fish. Biodiversity in these lakes is what makes them great. This is why you should go. Not just one generation but all generations can enjoy state parks and make memories for a lifetime. South Dakota State Parks – Emma DeMarteleare – Flandreau Middle School If you are someone with all of the nature questions like me, you should go on an adventure to a nature park because most of your questions will be answered. Now don’t forget, while you are learning at state parks, you also have the ability to have fun!
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