Bournedale student Neena Blake’s artwork, which earned second place in the Woods Hole Sea Grant Dune Sign Student Art Contest. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Henry Munier’s artwork, which earned third place in the Woods Hole Sea Grant Dune Sign Student Art Contest. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Adelyn Monahan’s artwork, which was named an honorable mention. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Luis Fernandez-Gendron’s artwork, which was named an honorable mention. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Dylan Persson’s artwork, which was named an honorable mention. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Olivia Page’s artwork, which was named an honorable mention. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools) 
Bournedale student Emerie Zelinsky’s artwork, which was named an honorable mention. (Photo courtesy Bourne Public Schools)
BOURNE — Bourne Public Schools students were well represented at this year’s Woods Hole Sea Grant Dune Sign Student Art Contest.
The contest, put on by the Woods Hole Sea Grant program based at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, ran from January to March for students at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
As dunes play a critical role in maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem, the contest was meant to solicit new artwork for dune signs along the Woods Hole coastline.
First, second and third place winners plus honorable mentions in each grade level were chosen. The following Bournedale Elementary School students earned recognition:
- Neena Blake, second grade, second place
- Henry Munier, second grade, third place
- Adelyn Monahan, first grade, honorable mention
- Luis Fernandez-Gendron, second grade, honorable mention
- Dylan Persson, second grade, honorable mention
- Olivia Page, second grade, honorable mention
- Emerie Zelinsky, second grade, honorable mention
Second place winners will receive a $30 Amazon gift card and a certificate, while third place winners will receive a $15 Amazon gift card and a certificate. Both category winners will be eligible to have the artwork displayed on a dune sign along the coast.
Bournedale STEAM teacher Toni Perry worked with students to create their artwork for the contest, using it as an opportunity to discuss the themes of environmentalism and how people interact with their surroundings.
“The students of Bournedale Elementary school were excited to participate in the Woods Hole Sea Grant Dune Sign Art Contest,” Perry said. “After participating in learning activities about the real-world problem, the students built models of how coastal erosion changes our shoreline. They learned ways people affect dunes, which are a natural protection and home to many animals. They felt strongly about finding ways to protect our dunes, and their artwork conveyed the beauty of our shared Cape Cod landscape and the vital message of staying off the dunes.”
To view the complete collection of winners, visit the Woods Hole Sea Grant website here. The site also has background on the project and information on dunes and the need to protect them.
“It means a lot for our students to be named winners in this contest and receive recognition for their hard work,” said Bournedale Principal Liz Carpenito. “One of the lessons we always try to impart to our students is that they can make a difference in the world and that they are part of a greater community, which is what this contest was all about. The need to protect the environment and ensure people treat the natural world with respect and care is something that people of all ages can understand, and I applaud all of the students who entered this contest and made such great artwork for this cause.”
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