Cecilia Fedeson, a fifth grader at the NTI, was honored with a tree planting at her school.  Cecilia won the DEC’s (Department of Environmental Conservation) annual Arbor Day poster contest.  Her design will be featured on the cover of their calendar.  Classmate Grace Gabel was a runner-up in the contest and will have her artwork featured in the calendar as well. 

Thousands of 5th grade students across New York State submitted entries in the yearly competition.  This year’s theme was “Healthy Trees, Healthy People”.  DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos says, “This year’s 5th grade Arbor Day poster contest winner’s unique artwork captures the beauty and benefits trees provide in enhancing quality of life.  The DEC congratulates Cecilia on her creation and appreciates all the student poster contest participants for their inspired submissions.  We encourage students to continue taking active roles to highlight and protect our shared environment.” 

Their Art teacher Melinda Wright is very proud of both of her students.  “As educators we need to stress and reinforce the importance of a healthy earth.  The Arbor Day poster contest is just one of these ways.  Every artist strives to hear their voice heard through art.” 

On May 13th, the entire NTI school community, North Tonawanda CSD Superintendent Greg Woytila, NTI Principal Greg Burgess, DEC Forester Nate Morey, Jennifer Dunning, the Western New York Regional Representative from Governor Hochul’s office, North Tonawanda Mayor Austin Tylec and Ms. Wright all celebrated with Cecilia and Grace.  Cecilia and Grace assisted in planting a black hills spruce tree on the NTI’s campus.  A special thank you to Northtowns Turf and Landscaping for donating their labor and expertise at the event. 

NTI Principal Greg Burgess, Jennifer Dunning (WNY Regional Representative from the Governor Hochul’s Office), Nate Morey (DEC Representative), Grace Gabel, Cecilia Fedeson, Art teacher Melinda Wright, Mayor Austin Tylec and representative from Northtowns Turf and Landscaping.