MENARD COUNTY
Soil and Water Conservation District #215
106 Bevans Street P O Box 665 Menard, TX 76859
325-396-4708 ext 5 menardcounty@swcd.texas.gov
The annual Texas Conservation Awards Program is sponsored by the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) and the Association of Texas SWCDs (ATSWCD). Texas' 216 SWCDs are encouraged to participate in the program, which recognizes conservationists in a variety of categories, "to acknowledge, recognize and honor those who dedicate themselves and their talents to the conservation and wise use of our renewable natural resources".
MCSWCD PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS
2023 Conservation Poster and Essay
Contest Winners
View or print complete list of winners
2023 Elementary and Junior High Winners
Back row, left to right: Lydia Damon, Sheridan Duncan, Perla Pecina, Taytum Chambless, Kade Bannowsky, JW Jennings, MCSWCD Director and Susie Lyckman, MCSWCD Manager..
Front row, left to right: Linah Wright, Daphne Mews, Rylee Ruiz, Ellen Hand, Paisley Mayfield and Tyler Sloan.
2023 High School
Conservation Essay Winners
Left to right: Lydia Damon, Logan Powell, Sheridan Duncan, Khloe McCaffery, MCSWCD Director JW Jennings, Joslynn Quintero and MCSWCD Manager Susie Lyckman.
2022 Conservation Poster and Essay Contest Winners
Complete list - pdf for viewing/printing
Poster contest: 1st - 5th grade winners
Essay contest: 6th - 8th grade winners
2022 Conservation Essay Contest
High School Winners
In April, MCSWCD recognized the high school winners of the annual Conservation Essay Contest.
Receiving their award certificates, left to right: Logan Powell, 2nd place local county and 2nd place in the Area II region; Cloe Whitson, 3rd place local county and Katelyn Maher, 1st place local county. Pictured with the MISD students are MCSWCD Directors, left to right: Gary Treadwell, JW Jennings and Benny Kothmann.
Logan was also recognized at the annual Area II Banquet held in May in Wall, TX.
DR. JAKE LANDERS RECEIVES 2020 FRIEND OF CONSERVATION AWARD
Dr. Jake Landers was selected as Menard County SWCD’s Friend of Conservation.
This honor is given to someone who promotes conservation in the community, county and state. Jake does all of that by being involved in any event that includes learning a little or a lot about conservation. Menard County SWCD #215 is proud to have Jake represent us as our Friend of Conservation. Thank you Dr. Landers for sharing your time, effort and knowledge with all of us.
Dr. Jake Landers (right) receives a commemorative plaque and MCSWCD gate sign in recognition of his selection as Menard County SWCD's 2020 Friend of Conservation. Presenting the awards is MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen (left). Dr. Landers was also recognized as the winner of the Area II Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board and Association of Texas SWCDs annual contest.
2021 Conservation Poster and Essay Contest Winners
Complete lists - pdfs for printing
Poster contest: 1st - 5th grade winners
Essay contest: 6th - 8th grade winners
2021 Overall Conservation Poster Winners
Left to right: Tami Russell, Menard Water District Manager; Isabelle Devine, 3rd place; Benjamin Burch, 2nd place; Kade Bannowsky, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 Overall Conservation Essay Winners
Left to right: Tami Russell, Menard Water District Manager; Colby Powell, 3rd place; Jaegar Leonard, 2nd place; Aspen Hutchison, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
Thank you to Menard Water District for partnering with us on the annual Conservation Poster and Essay Contests and providing cash prizes for overall winners.
2021 1st Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Lilly Torres, 3rd place; Saydee Meadow, 1st place; Cooper Gorman, 2nd place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 2nd Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Caitlyn Burch, 3rd place; O'Dan Wright, 2nd place; Kate Baker, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 3rd Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Kelsie Aguirre, 3rd place; Stori Halley, 2nd place; Sara Ogdon, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 4th Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Isabelle Devine, 1st place; Trevor Mazar, 3rd place; Samuel Evan Mayfield, 2nd place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 5th Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: MaKenzie Wright, 3rd place; Benjamin Burch, 2nd place; Kade Bannowsky, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 6th Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Sabri Zamora, 3rd place; Edward Segura, 2nd place; Claudia Thompson, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 7th Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Bryce Davis, 3rd place; Jaegar Leonard, 2nd place; Aspen Hutchison, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2021 8th Grade Poster Winners
Left to right: Isabella Morales, 2nd place; Chloe Whitson, 3rd place; Colby Powell, 1st place and Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director.
2020 Conservation Essay Contest
13 Years and Under Division
Wyatt Terrell
Winner of the Local, Area II and Statewide Award
Wyatt Terrell was selected as the winner of Menard County SWCD's annual essay contest in the 13 years and under division. Wyatt's essay also won first place in the Area II competition.
Wyatt went on to win the Statewide Essay Contest Award in the Junior Division. His win was announced during the Virtual Annual Meeting of Texas SWCD Directors in October 2020.
MCSWCD Director Billy Kniffen (above, left) presents Wyatt Terrell an award plaque as winner in the 13 years and under division of the annual conservation essay contest and congratulates him on his selection as the 2020 Area II winner.
Wyatt Terrell’s conservation essay in the 13 years and under division placed first over all in the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District competition.
First and second over all posters, 13 and under over all essays and 14 to 18 over all essays are sent to Area II competition.
Area II is comprised of 42 Soil and Water Conservation Districts. Each of the Districts may send their top 2 in each category to Area II competition.
Wyatt won the Area II competition and his essay was sent to the Texas State Conservation Board for state competition. Only first place area winners can compete for state. State competition is comprised of 5 Areas, so his essay competed against 4 others.
Wyatt won the statewide competition!
We are so proud of you Wyatt!
Congratulations from the Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District.
MISD student Wyatt Terrell (center) receives a plaque as the 2020 State Conservation Essay Award winner in the 13 years and under category. Wyatt accepts his commemorative plaque from MCSWCD Directors Benny Fred Kothmann (left) and Billy Kniffen (right).
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2019 Conservation Essay Contest
14-18 Years Old Division
Lexus Aguirre
Winner of the Local, Area II and Statewide Award
The 2019 essay topic was "Life in the Soil: Dig Deeper". Menard ISD student Lexus Aguirre was chosen as the statewide winner in the Senior, 14-18 years old division of the contest.
The poster and essay competition is conducted annually by the Association of Texas SWCDs (ATSWCD) and the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB), along with a variety of other conservation award categories.
Contests begin at the local level, with county SWCDs selecting winners, who are automatically entered into Area contests. Lexus was selected as the winner in Area II, comprised of 52 SWCDs. She was chosen as the Texas winner from among other local winners across the state.
Lexus Aguirre was recognized as state winner of the Conservation Essay contest, senior division. She was presented an award at the 79th Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors, held October 28-30, 2019 at the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort in San Antonio. Presenting Lexus' award are, left to right: Volney Hough, president of the Association of Texas SWCDs; Lexus; Marty Graham, Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board (TSSWCB) Director, Area II and Rex Isom, TSSWCB Executive Director.
Attending the 2019 Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors in October in San Antonio to support Lexus, are, left to right: J. W. Jennings, Menard County SWCD Director, Zone 4; Raven Aguirre; Marcy Petty Benavides; Lexus; Cydney Petty; Jewel Aguirre and Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager.
MORE ABOUT LEXUS' CONSERVATION AWARD-WINNING YEAR
The 2019 Area II Awards Banquet was held in Wall, TX
The 2019 Area II Awards banquet was attended by MCSWCD Directors, staff and NRCS
The 2019 Area II Awards Banquet was held in Wall, TX
TSSWCB Director Marty Graham presents the Area II Essay Award to Lexus Aguirre
Menard ISD student Lexus Aguirre wins 2019 local, Area II and State Conservation Essay contest
TSSWCB Director Marty Graham presents the Area II Essay Award to Lexus Aguirre
Lexus received an engraved plaque at the Area II Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board Awards Banquet Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at St. Ambrose Parish Hall in Wall, Texas, for her first place conservation essay in the 14 to 18 years of age category.
TSSWCB Director Marty Graham of Rocksprings presented the plaque and announced that Lexus had also won the state competition. She will be recognized and receive a state award plaque in October in San Antonio, TX at the Annual Meeting of SWCD Directors.
The Area II Awards Banquet was attended by approximately 200 guests, who were served a meal of steak, cheesy potatoes, baked squash, green salad, hot rolls, and cobbler by the Knights of Columbus.
Attending the banquet to support Lexus were Joe and Sissy Baker, Marcie Benavides, Quentin Baker, Cydney Petty, Jewel Petty and Raven Aquirre, all of Menard. Also attending were Menard County SWCD Directors Benny Fred Kothmann and wife Cordelia, Gary Treadwell and wife Heather and Billy Kniffen, along with Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager and Chris Casaday, NRCS District Conservationist in the Menard Field Office.
Congratulations Lexus!
Pictured in slideshow at left: TSSWCB Director Marty Graham of Rocksprings presented the Area II Conservation Essay award to Lexus Aguirre. Graham then announced that Lexus had been selected as the State Essay winner in the 14-18 years of age category.
2019 LOCAL ESSAY WINNERS
Age 13 and Under Category
Pictured at left, from left to right: Tami Russell, MISD; students Audrey Mazac, first place; Jared Ruiz, second place; Eduardo Osornio, third place; MCSWCD Directors Billy Kniffen and Jerry Kidd.
2018 Texas Conservation Teacher of the Year
Mary Kniffen
Mary Kniffen was recognized as the Conservation Teacher of the Year at the annual convention of SWCD Directors held in October 2018 at the Omni Hotel in Ft. Worth. Helping Mary celebrate her award are, left to right: Lisa Brown, Menard County AgriLife Extension Agent; Louise Jennings, wife of Director Jennings; Chris Casaday, NRCS District Conservationist/Menard Field Office; J. W. Jennings, Menard County SWCD Vice Chairman; Mary Kniffen; husband Billy Kniffen, MCSWCD Director; Charlotte Albrecht, MCSWCD Business Manager; Kendria Ray, Texas Soil and Water Conservation Board Area II Field Rep.
In recognition of her years of excellence in teaching local students and her continuing commitment to conservation, Menard County Soil and Water Conservation District #215 recognized local educator Mary Kniffen as Menard's 2018 Teacher of the Year. Kniffen was then awarded the top teacher spot in the Texas State Soil and Water Conservation Board's Area II region, comprised of 52 SWCDs.
Her outstanding achievements earned her the ultimate statewide title of 2018 Texas Conservation Teacher of the Year. In October 2018, friends, family and co-workers travelled to Ft. Worth to support Kniffen as she accepted her award at TSSWCB's 78th Annual State Meeting held at the Omni Hotel.
Kniffen actively works with local 4-H members and Jr. Master Gardeners to teach them the importance of ethics, leadership, responsibility, conservation, community and the outdoors.
She works with local schools to encourage cross curriculum involving gardening and school subjects such as math and science.
In 2005, Kniffen started Jr. Master Gardeners in Menard County. The group went on to win Texas Group of the Year, National Jr. Master Gardeners Service Achievement Award and Small Group of the Year. She was recognized with the Marva Ebeck Jr. Master Gardeners Leader of the Year Award in 2010.
Three years ago she added the Morning Glory Seedlings which allows students from kindergarten to third grade to participate in Jr. Master Gardeners. Kniffen continues to be a leader in teaching our future generations the importance of conservation and stewardship.
