Tree-mendous artwork at annual Arbor Day poster competition
All the winners smile at Old Hammondtown Elementary on Friday, April 3. From the left: Rosie Palomo, Valentina Hermoso-Gonzalez, Philip Lucci, Henry Kanaly, Oliver Costa and Layla Grossman. Photos by Mari Huglin 
The winners stand pround with their awards. 
Greta Andersen and Nancy Souza announce the winners of the contest. 
Rosie Palomo and Valentina Hermoso-Gonzalez pose with their posters. All the posters focused on trees and the environemnt. 
Parents attended the event. 
Parents smile as the awards are presented. 
Students stand to listen to the presentation. 
One poster shows art of trees and lungs. 
Layla Grossnan with her second place award. 
Nancy Souza hands out the awards.
All the winners smile at Old Hammondtown Elementary on Friday, April 3. From the left: Rosie Palomo, Valentina Hermoso-Gonzalez, Philip Lucci, Henry Kanaly, Oliver Costa and Layla Grossman. Photos by Mari Huglin
The winners stand pround with their awards.
Greta Andersen and Nancy Souza announce the winners of the contest.
Rosie Palomo and Valentina Hermoso-Gonzalez pose with their posters. All the posters focused on trees and the environemnt.
Parents attended the event.
Parents smile as the awards are presented.
Students stand to listen to the presentation.
One poster shows art of trees and lungs.
Layla Grossnan with her second place award.
Nancy Souza hands out the awards.
MATTAPOISETT — Fifth grade Old Hammondtown Elementary artists sketched, painted and colored posters of trees to celebrate Arbor Day.
A talented few were awarded for their hard work at the elementary school on Friday, April 3.
For ten years, Old Hammondtown and the Mattapoisett Tree Commission have hosted this competition to bring awareness to trees and ensure Mattapoisett maintains its Tree City USA designation.
Nancy Souza, chair of the Mattapoisett Tree Commission said the tradition began to celebrate Arbor Day and the importance of trees. Her favorite part is seeing how the students react when they win.
“Seeing the excitement on kids’ faces when they win and even the parents that are so proud of their children participating and being recognized for their artwork,” Souza said.
Greta Anderson the art teacher at Old Hammondtown helped students begin their projects in the middle of January.
She said her goal was to help the students portray messages through art. The designated theme this year was “If trees could talk”.
“I'm really proud of everyone who entered and I feel like their creativity is what makes this fun every year because we get different themes and the kids always come up with great ideas,” Anderson said.
Rosie Pallono won first place and Layla Grossman took second place for their posters.
Pallono’s poster illustrated nature outside of the Mattapoisett library. Grossman’s poster depicted a pair of lungs— one unhealthy due to pollution and one healthy with trees.
“I just think that even if trees could talk, I don't think anyone would really listen,” Grossman said.
The posters were voted on by community members at the library. They voted on first and second place and then on three honorable mentions: Best design, best portrayal of theme and most unique.
Valentina Hermoso-Gonzalez and Oliver Costa were tied for best design.
Henry Kanaly was awarded the best portrayal of the theme. Philip Lucci was awarded the most unique poster.
