Ellie Merrick, a fifth-grader at Southern Delaware School of the Arts in Selbyville, was the overall State Winner of the Delaware Forest Service’s 2019 Arbor Day School Poster Contest. This year’s theme was “Trees are Terrific… in Cities and Towns!” — chosen to highlight the numerous benefits of trees in community settings.
Twelve winners were chosen overall – one from each county (New Castle, Kent, Sussex) in the following grade categories: kindergarten, grades 1-2, grades 3-4, and grade 5. Winners receive a tree-themed book, a free tree planting ceremony at their school (courtesy of sponsor Delmarva Power), and an invitation to the State Arbor Day Ceremony with Governor John C. Carney, Jr.
The gallery of winning posters can be viewed online: 2019 Delaware Arbor Day Poster Contest Winners.
| New Castle | |
| Kindergarten | Avery Thomas — Cedar Lane Early Childhood Center, Middletown |
| Grades 1-2 | Lydia Sperati — Jennie Smith Elementary, Newark |
| Grades 3-4 | Patricia Gomes — All Saints Catholic School, Wilmington |
| Grade 5 | Jayden Fuller — Brandywine Springs Elementary, Wilmington |
| Kent | |
| Kindergarten | Abigail Carter — McIlvaine Early Childhood Center, Magnolia |
| Grades 1-2 | Bella Cooper — Allen Frear Elementary, Camden |
| Grades 3-4 | Sarah Armstrong — Allen Frear Elementary, Camden |
| Grade 5 | Sophia Yuckel — Allen Frear Elementary, Camden |
| Sussex | |
| Kindergarten | Loana Marquez Mendez — H.O. Brittingham Elementary, Milton |
| Grades 1-2 | Zoe Bontrager-Thomas — Mispillion Elementary, Milford |
| Grades 3-4 | Ava Strong — Southern Delaware School of Arts, Selbyville |
| Grade 5 | Ellie Merrick — Southern Delaware School of Arts, Selbyville |