Congratulations!
Ainsley Pitlik - Elementary Division
and
Sutton Pitlik - Junior Division
Our 2026 State Speaking Contest Winners!!!
Ainsley Pitlik, Sugar Camp student, took home FIRST PLACE in the Elementary Division at the Wisconsin Land and Water STATE Speaking Contest held on March 4, 2026 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Sutton Pitlik, Three Lakes student, took home FIRST PLACE in the Junior Division at the Wisconsin Land and Water STATE Speaking Contest held on March 4, 2026 at Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
2026
Conservation and Environmental Awareness Speaking and Poster Contest
Poster Award Party
Area Contest Winners Announced!
The NCLWCA Area Conservation Poster & Speaking contests and meeting were all held on January 28, 2026. FIRST PLACE Winners included Sutton (Junior Division) & Ainsley (Elementary Division) Pitlik in the Speaking Contest and the following POSTER winners: Brooks Darton (K-1st Grade); Harper Bock (2nd-3rd Grade); Makenzie Metzer (7th-9th Grade) and Sawyer Szews (10th-12th Grade). All First Place Winners now advance to the STATE Competition on March 4 at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells.
Congratulations to All!
Local Winners Announced!
Please click on the button below for the winners of the Oneida County 2026 Conservation and Environmental Awareness Poster Contest. Poster photos can also be found below.
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Local Speaking
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Conservation and Environmental Awareness Speaking Contest Winners for 2026. Left to right: Ainsley Pitlik, Harper Kral, Stephen Kortenhof and Sutton Pitlik.
2026 Conservation and Environmental Awareness
Speaking Contest Slideshow.
CLICK ON EACH INDIVIDUAL POSTER FOR A LARGER VIEW
Primary Division (Kindergarten-First Grade)
BROOKS DARTON - SUGAR CAMP GRADE 1 - FIRST PLACE
Elementary Division (Second-Third Grade)
HARPER BOCK - THREE LAKES GRADE 3 - FIRST PLACE
BRIELLE BISNETTE - THREE LAKES GRADE 3 - SECOND PLACE
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GINNY RIGBY - THREE LAKES GRADE 3 - THIRD PLACE
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Middle Division (Fourth-Sixth Grade)
ISABEL COLOMBINO - SUGAR CAMP GRADE 6 - FIRST PLACE
HOLT DARTON - SUGAR CAMP GRADE 4 - SECOND PLACE
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GABRIELLA THUMS - SUGAR CAMP GRADE 6 - THIRD PLACE
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Junior Division (Seventh-Ninth Grade)
MAKENZIE METZER - JAMES WILLIAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL - GRADE 7 - FIRST PLACE/BEST OF SHOW
BAYA WYSS - JAMES WILLIAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 7 - SECOND PLACE
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RACHEL BIDELL - JAMES WILLIAMS MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE 7 - THIRD PLACE
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Senior Division (Tenth-Twelfth Grade)
SAWYER SZEWS - THREE LAKES HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12 - FIRST PLACE
CECILIA MUDRAK - THREE LAKES HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12 - SECOND PLACE
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MIRA WEST - THREE LAKES HIGH SCHOOL GRADE 12 - THIRD PLACE
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2026 Theme
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The 2026 NACD Poster Contest theme is "Soil. Where it all Begins"
THIS THEME MUST BE ON EVERY POSTER!
The Conservation Poster Contest is open to kindergarten through 12th grade students and posters are evaluated on the following criteria:
Conservation Message
Visual Effectiveness
Originality
Universal Appeal
Individual Artwork
THIS THEME MUST BE ON EVERY POSTER!
The Conservation Poster Contest is open to kindergarten through 12th grade students and posters are evaluated on the following criteria:
Conservation Message
Visual Effectiveness
Originality
Universal Appeal
Individual Artwork
The 2026 Speaking Contest consists of three contest divisions:
1. Elementary Division… (3-5 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 5-6.
2. Junior Division... (4-6 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 7-8.
3. Senior Division… (5-7 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 9-12.
Subject Matter
Speeches must promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality. Topics should address soil and water conservation issues. Emphasis should be placed on the subject as it relates to your locality or to the state of Wisconsin.
Authenticity and accuracy of information is important, and the speaker should demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter. Feel free to contact Natural Resource professionals as they can provide knowledge on numerous topics. The internet is a rich resource; however, not all internet sources are reliable. When using the internet, be sure to consider your source!
All speeches should be backed up by facts. Both sides of an issue should
be presented in a fair and non-accusatory manner. Using names of people or businesses for slander will not be accepted and shall result in disqualification.
Visual Aids
Use of visual aids (posters, charts, etc.) is prohibited; however, notes may be used.
Speeches
A speech, in part or whole, used in this contest in previous years may not be used again. However, speeches used for other speaking events may be used. Group presentations are not allowed.
1. Elementary Division… (3-5 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 5-6.
2. Junior Division... (4-6 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 7-8.
3. Senior Division… (5-7 minute speeches, required) for students enrolled
in grades 9-12.
Subject Matter
Speeches must promote the conservation of natural resources and the protection or enhancement of environmental quality. Topics should address soil and water conservation issues. Emphasis should be placed on the subject as it relates to your locality or to the state of Wisconsin.
Authenticity and accuracy of information is important, and the speaker should demonstrate familiarity with the subject matter. Feel free to contact Natural Resource professionals as they can provide knowledge on numerous topics. The internet is a rich resource; however, not all internet sources are reliable. When using the internet, be sure to consider your source!
All speeches should be backed up by facts. Both sides of an issue should
be presented in a fair and non-accusatory manner. Using names of people or businesses for slander will not be accepted and shall result in disqualification.
Visual Aids
Use of visual aids (posters, charts, etc.) is prohibited; however, notes may be used.
Speeches
A speech, in part or whole, used in this contest in previous years may not be used again. However, speeches used for other speaking events may be used. Group presentations are not allowed.
LOCAL CONTEST DATE/LOCATION:
Oneida County - POSTER CONTEST: Judging day will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Location: Courthouse in Rhinelander. Judges have been confirmed: Sandy Wickman, Joel Gebhard, and Tom Melnarik.
Oneida County - SPEAKING CONTEST: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Location: ART START in Rhinelander.
Judges have been confirmed: Laure McCloskey; Michael Stinebrink, and Tom Melnarik.
ALL FORMS ARE DUE TO ONEIDA COUNTY BY: Thursday, January 15, 2026.
AREA CONTEST DATE/LOCATION: Vilas County - Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (inclement weather date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026). The Contest will be held at the Vilas County Courthouse in Conference Rooms 1-3. The address is:
30 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521.
STATE CONTEST DATE/LOCATION: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at the Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Address: 1000 Chula Vista Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.
Oneida County - POSTER CONTEST: Judging day will be held on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Location: Courthouse in Rhinelander. Judges have been confirmed: Sandy Wickman, Joel Gebhard, and Tom Melnarik.
Oneida County - SPEAKING CONTEST: Wednesday, January 21, 2026 Location: ART START in Rhinelander.
Judges have been confirmed: Laure McCloskey; Michael Stinebrink, and Tom Melnarik.
ALL FORMS ARE DUE TO ONEIDA COUNTY BY: Thursday, January 15, 2026.
AREA CONTEST DATE/LOCATION: Vilas County - Wednesday, January 28, 2026 (inclement weather date: Wednesday, February 4, 2026). The Contest will be held at the Vilas County Courthouse in Conference Rooms 1-3. The address is:
30 Court Street, Eagle River, WI 54521.
STATE CONTEST DATE/LOCATION: Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at the Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Address: 1000 Chula Vista Parkway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965.