Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
SOUTH SALT LAKE — 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.
Penny’s entry was sponsored by the Neighborhood Garden Club of Utah.
The fictional Smokey Bear became a mascot for fire prevention in 1944. He became a nationally and internationally recognized figure, famous for his fire prevention message: “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
The Smokey Bear campaign, now in its 75th year, teaches children and adults to exercise care with campfires, barbecues, trash fires and matches.
In 1950, a black bear cub believed to be 3 months old was found clinging to a tree in Lincoln National Forest in New Mexico after a devastating forest fire.
Penny Atkinson from @HDriggsDragons Elem was recognized by the Board for being the National Smokey the Bear Poster contest winner. A prestigious recognition from a great student. #uted#utpolpic.twitter.com/VaKoPpoC5Z
— Granite School Dist. (@GraniteSchools) November 13, 2019
The cub was dubbed “Smokey Bear,” inspired by the Smokey Bear Wildfire Prevention campaign. After undergoing treatment for wounds to his paws and hindquarters, Smokey was flown to Washington, D.C., where he became one of the most famous residents of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo, according to the zoo’s website.
When Smokey Bear died in 1976, his remains were returned to New Mexico and buried in what is now called Smokey Bear Historical Park, which is near where he was found as a cub, according to New Mexico Magazine.
