Joe Manchin III, Governor
Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release
For release: October 19, 2005

Hoy Murphy , Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Art Contest Winners Awarded Weeklong Getaways at WV State Parks

Charleston , W.Va. - Representatives from West Virginia State Parks today recognized the winners of its "History is Alive" art contest at the Cultural Center at the State Capitol Complex. First-place winners in each of the five categories received one-week stays at a West Virginia state park.

West Virginia State Parks Programming Services Coordinator Kim McHenry said all of the contest entrants were invited to participate.

“It was rewarding to see the winners recognized for their wonderful and unique works of art,” McHenry said. “We were happy to reward their hard work as they demonstrated the beauty of West Virginia through this contest.”

  According to McHenry, the contest was very successful as nearly 100 entries were received throughout the summer from four states. "We conducted this contest to celebrate the history of our state park system, and the artwork created for this contest made this celebration very special."

According to McHenry, the 2005 Legislature proclaimed this year as "The Year of the Shay" as it marks the 100th birthday of Cass Scenic Railroad's Shay No. 5 engine, which is the oldest operating Shay locomotive in the world.

"We encouraged folks of all ages and skill levels to send in original pieces of art to help commemorate this centennial milestone and in honor of parks and their importance in the history of the state," McHenry explained. "Each work of art submitted is unique and displays the beauty of our state."

"I would like to thank every entrant for their efforts in creating such wonderful works of art," McHenry added. "We appreciate each artist for celebrating West Virginia 's history along with us."

A list of all the winners is below. Also, the winners and photos of first-place winning artwork will be posted on www.wvstateparks.com . Additional contest information, including a complete set of rules and entry form, is available at http://www.wvstateparks.com/artcontest.htm . More information about the "History is Alive" contest is also available by calling Kim McHenry at (304) 558-2764.

First-place winners:

Children ages 5-7   Victoria L. Ford     Gerrardstown, W.Va.

Children ages 8-10   Alyson Huffman   Barboursville, W.Va.

Children ages 11-14   Zackary Neville     Belva, W.Va.

Teens ages 15-17   Jessica Haring     Morgantown, W.Va.

Adults 18 and older   Larry McCallister   Mt. Zion, W.Va.

Second-place winners:

Children ages 5-7   Shane Donavan Moss   Tornado, W.Va.

Children ages 8-10   Evan Robinson     Hurricane, W.Va.

Children ages 11-14   Michaela Mills     Buckhannon, W.Va.

Teens ages 15-17   Courtney Skeen     Leroy, W.Va.

Adults 18 and older   Cathy Dawn Moss   Tornado, W.Va.

Third-place winners:

Children ages 5-7   Sam Stahl     Fostoria, Ohio

Children ages 8-10   Julie Peng     Culloden, W.Va.

Children ages 11-14   David Schornstaedt   Hamilton, N.J.

Teens ages 15-17   Elizabeth Vaughn    Huntington , W.Va.

Adults 18 and older   Denise L. McDavid   St. Albans, W.Va.

Honorable Mention :

Children ages 5-7   Joshua Adkins     Harts, W.Va.

Children ages 8-10   Lauren Mason     Waverly, W.Va.

Children ages 11-14   Aaron Stahl     Fostoria, Ohio

Adults 18 and older   David Farkasdi     Sissonville, W.Va.

**DNR**