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he fifth year of the Freshwater <br />Society's Water is Life Art Con- <br />i test culminated with an inspir- <br />ing event. <br />Twenty-nine Minnesota high school <br />students were honored at the Gray <br />Freshwater Center on May 6 for works <br />of art they created to depict the value of <br />water and the many threats it faces in <br />today's world. <br />The students were chosen from more <br />than 200 entrants. The art and accompa- <br />nying statements explaining the work <br />were judged at regional competitions <br />across Minnesota. The artists, their fami- <br />lies and their instructors were among <br />guests invited to view the art and hear <br />some motivating and interesting words <br />about our freshwater resources. <br />Gene Merriam, Freshwater Society <br />president, spoke of the critical issues <br />facing our freshwater resources in Min- <br />nesota. He urged all to join the society <br />in spreading information on our water <br />by participating in events associated <br />with the society`s initiative for next <br />year-2010 -The Year of Water. <br />Keynote speaker, Sandy Spieler, <br />artistic director of the hi tke H~rrrt of the <br />F«ta Pr~hha~t:zrrd ,~e~9e~s~ 'TIu~~~Fre, spahe <br />-''~''~''~ ~ ~`'" -;ice '~ <br />Art contest winners, from left: Quanzakari DeChiara-Crillion, Alixandra Biwer, Meghan Reistad, Sarah Olson, Bradley lohn- <br />sonand Luke Muyskens. The blue mask, symbolizing water, is from the In the Heart of the Beast Puppet and Mask Theatre. <br />about the many productions she has <br />been involved with that were focused <br />on themes related to water. Her descrip- <br />tions conveyed to the audience the <br />importance and beauty of water and the <br />emotions it can spark in individuals and <br />societies. <br />The artists were acknowledged for <br />their achievement and their art was <br />further highlighted by reading their <br />artists' statements. Each semi-finalist <br />was presented with X100 and a framed <br />certificate. Schular:~hip~ far $S(t{l ~~^ere <br />presented to the six distinguished stu- <br />dent artists that placed highest in the <br />final judging. <br />The 2009 Water is Life Art Contest <br />was expanded. to include the southwest <br />and central regions of the state. Col- <br />laborating with Minnesota`s Educational <br />Cooperative Service Units; theFreshwa- <br />ter Society offered the contest to senior <br />high students in the following regions: <br />Southeast Service Cooperative (Roches- <br />ter), South Central Service Cooperative <br />('bl~n]:ato), Northeast 4ere~ice <br />