Pennsylvania Chemistry Teacher Honored Fishing For Art

BROOKLYN CENTER, MN - A Minnesota-based national conservation organization has named a Pennsylvania high-school chemistry teacher its 2012 Educator of the Year in recognition of her significant contribution to youth conservation education.

On behalf of Wildlife Forever, on October 2 the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission presented the award to Dr. Helen Loughner, a chemistry teacher for 34 years at Penn-Trafford High School in Harrison City, Pennsylvania.

"Dr. Lougher is a regular participant in the State-Fish Art Contest," said Douglas H. Grann, President & CEO of Wildlife Forever. "We were so surprised to learn she was not an art teacher given the large numbers of entries from her students over the years, 57 in 2012 alone!"

"I commend Wildlife Forever for its grassroots conservation projects. Preservation of habitats and maintenance of fish and wildlife populations could not be accomplished without research and education of the populace." remarked Dr. Loughner. "I actually relate the essay the students write about the fish and its habitat to their state science assessment. Of course the boys in particular like it because they enjoy fishing and the girls love to do the art work!"

She joins past winners of the Educator of the Year Award, Zoe Ann Stinchcomb, 2008 from Texas; Dawn Cook, 2009 from Arkansas, Michelle Daberkow, 2010 from Nebraska and Lila Jenkins 2011 from Miissouri.

Wildlife Forever's 14th annual State-Fish Art Contest was made possible by support from its title sponsor GenOn along with the North American Fishing Club, Rapala, Cheap Joe's Art Stuff, Blick Art Materials, Go Fish Education Center, the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and Foundation.

About the State-Fish Art Contest
The Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art Contest™ is entering its 15th year of bringing children, art and aquatic conservation together. To enter, young artists create an original illustration of any official state-fish and a written essay detailing its behavior, habitat, and efforts to conserve it. Entries are categorized in four grade levels: K-3, 4-6, 7-9, and 10-12. Educators nationwide utilize Fish On!, the full-color State-Fish Art Lesson Plan, combining the disciplines of science and art. It is available on CD, at no charge and for download. Entries are due by March 31st each year. For all the details and to view the 2012 winning images visit www.StateFishArt.org.

About Wildlife Forever
Located in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota Wildlife Forever's mission is to conserve America's wildlife heritage through conservation education, preservation of habitat and management of fish and wildlife. As the nonprofit conservation arm of the North American Hunting Club and North American Fishing Club, Wildlife Forever represents the conservation interests of 1.3 million members. Learn more at: www.WildlifeForever.org.

Contact:
Karen R. Hollingsworth
khollingsworth@statefishart.org
651.213.0669