Crossroads student wins 'Living Soil' contest

Mar. 27—HENDERSON — Crossroads Christian fifth-grader Avery Haithcock won the Vance County Soil and Water Conservation District's annual poster contest.

This year's theme was "The Living Soil," or exploring the soil as an ecosystem and the differences between healthy and unhealthy soil. While making their posters, students learned ways to conserve water and keep waterways clean.

The idea was to "bring awareness to students all over of water conservation and making them aware of our natural resources and how important healthy soil is," said Education Coordinator Lynn Renn.

Students began the process in October and ended in December. Judges reviewed submissions throughout January and announced the winners the next month, presenting winners with their prizes on the last day of February.

Each winner took some cash home — first place winners won $25, second placers won $15 and third, $10. As the overall winner, Haithcock won a bike helmet and bicycle.

Each elementary school in the county has its own contest. The grand winner, Haithcock, in this case, goes on to the yearly Envirothon for the regional contest. The winners there move on to the state level.