Celebration set for July 16 at California State Fair
Folsom students are making their mark on a national stage thanks to their artistic talents and environmental awareness. Three young local artists have been named winners in the 2025 National Garden Club Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest, with one student earning the contest’s highest honor.
The Folsom Garden Club announced that Adaleen Cho, a second grader from Empire Oaks Elementary, was not only the winner for her grade level but was also selected as the Grand Prize Winner for the entire nation. Joining her in the winner’s circle are Tayden Cho, a fourth grader from Theodore Judah Elementary, and Vinaya Ganesh, a fifth grader from Folsom Hills Elementary, who each took first place for their respective grades.
All three students began their journey by winning at the local club level hosted by the Folsom Garden Club. Their posters then advanced to claim first-place wins at the state level through California Garden Clubs, Inc. (CGCI), followed by top regional honors through the Pacific Region Garden Clubs, which encompasses eight western states. From there, the posters moved on to the national competition conducted by the National Garden Clubs in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Forest Services.
The prestigious contest, open to students in grades one through five, aims to raise awareness about wildfire prevention and environmental conservation. Smokey Bear’s enduring message, “Only You Can Prevent Wildfires,” continues to inspire young artists to think critically about fire safety, while Woodsy Owl’s motto, “Lend a hand, care for the land,” encourages a broader understanding of ecological stewardship.
Each participating student received a Certificate of Participation and a small gift for their efforts. Contest winners received monetary awards and were personally invited to a special recognition ceremony at the California State Fair. CGCI Poster Contest Award Chair Charlotte Tucker has invited all poster winners as well as their families to attend the Camp Smokey special ceremony at the California State Fair to further celebrate their accomplishments.
The celebration will take place Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at Camp Smokey inside the California State Fairgrounds at 1600 Exposition Boulevard in Sacramento. Attendees are asked to arrive no later than 2:30 p.m. to prepare for the event. The ceremony will feature appearances by Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl, and may also include a presentation from a representative of the National Garden Club.
The award-winning posters from all grade levels will be proudly displayed throughout the duration of the California State Fair at Camp Smokey.
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