Duval Hosts Regional Speech and Poster Contest

.Supervisors with the Duval Soil and Water Conservation District are excited to serve as hosts of the 2018 Regional (Area II) Speech and Poster Contest! The Association of Florida Conservation Districts hosts 4 regional contests each year with winning district contestants. This year's topic is Healthy Soils are Full of Life. The winner of each of the four regional contests will go on to the Florida Statewide competition in June. 

The Duval County "Area II" Speech and Poster Contest will be held at Riverside North on April 18 from 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.  Participating speech contestants should review the rules and submit their speech by the April 14 deadline. Participants in both the speech and poster contest should complete the registration. For poster contestants, your poster should be delivered to the event no later than 4:00 p.m. when the judging will commence, either personally or from your local District Supervisor.  See the local guidelines and Judges Scorecard for categories K-12. 

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2015 Speech Contestants, hosted by St. Johns County Soil and Water Conservation District

           Speech Contest Judges

Arlene Jones, retired, Duval County Public Schools
Arlene Jones recently retired from the Duval County Public School system where she worked as a school teacher and administrator for several years. She has experience in public speaking and working with young people. Ms. Jones will be a strong asset to the Speech and Poster Contest competitions. 

W. Earl Kitchings, Toastmaster & Speech Consultant
Mr. Kitchings is a member of the Speakers Bureau of Toastmasters International, an organization that teaches one how to do public speaking. I know the organization because I was a member for almost 30 years. As part of every toastmaster's meeting there are speakers and people providing feedback to the speaker, so being a long time toastmaster provides excellent experience  and background in aiding our local public speech contest. 

Allen Skinner, Soil Life Consultant Candidate
Allen Skinner is owner of Bioril, LLC, a distributor of soil microbial inoculants and organic soil conditioners.  Skinner manages the organic nutrient program for sites that include historic Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida. The site uses techniques taught by the Environment Celebration Institute and focuses on establishing nutrient cycling in the soil to nourish the turf.  Skinner is currently seeking the Soil Life Consultant certification by the Environment Celebration Institute.
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              Poster Contest Judges

Karl Boecklen, Cummer Museum of Fine Art & Gardens, Art & Science Educator
As Museum Educator at the Cummer Museum of Art & Gardens, Karl works with students through an array of art education programs. His focus is on education in the Cummer Museum gardens, and he is excited to lend his expertise in science through art to the Healthy Soils poster contest. 

Arlene Jones, retired, Duval County Public Schools
Arlene Jones recently retired from the Duval County Public School system where she worked as a school teacher and administrator for several years. She has experience in public speaking and working with young people. Ms. Jones will be a strong asset to the Speech and Poster Contest competitions. ​

Allen Skinner, Soil Life Consultant Candidate
Allen Skinner is owner of Bioril, LLC, a distributor of soil microbial inoculants and organic soil conditioners.  Skinner manages the organic nutrient program for sites that include historic Memorial Park in Jacksonville, Florida. The site uses techniques taught by the Environment Celebration Institute and focuses on establishing nutrient cycling in the soil to nourish the turf.  Skinner is currently seeking the Soil Life Consultant certification by the Environment Celebration Institute. 

Winners for both contests will be announced at 5:00 p.m.  on April 18. Snacks and drinks will be provided. Parents should feel free to register to join us so that we may have a head count, but this is not required. 

Congrats to all of the contestants!