Faye Rowe, Magnolia Garden Club president, presents the state awards and a check in the amount of $25 each to Bowen Ricks, left, and Arianna Bryant, right. 

MOULTRIE, Ga. — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. invited students from first through fifth grades throughout the state of Georgia to participate in the Smokey Bear poster contest.

Two Georgia state winners of the Smokey Bear poster contest were from Okapilco Elementary School in Moultrie. Bowen Ricks won first place in the First Grade Division, and Arianna Bryant won first place in the Second Grade Division. Each student received $25 as prize money.

The Smokey Bear message for wildfire prevention was displayed on each poster. This message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” encourages children and adults to be careful with campfires, barbecues, trash fires, and matches.  

These students were sponsored by the Moultrie Magnolia Garden Club.