Arbor Day student poster contest displays ‘tree’mendous creativity

GROSSE POINTE PARK — Students at schools in Grosse Pointe Park once again demonstrated their ability to be thoughtful and creative through entries in the Grosse Pointe Park Beautification Commission’s 2024 Arbor Day poster contest.

The poster contest winners were announced during a May 13 Park City Council meeting.

“I think this is probably the best item on the agenda,” Mayor Michele Hodges said.

The contest is open to fourth graders and students in split third/fourth grade classrooms. This year, organizers said there were 108 entries from a pool of 178 students in seven classrooms at three different schools.

Beautification Commission member Pat Deck, who chairs the contest, said commission members judge the entries blindly — they don’t know who created the posters or what classes or schools they’re from.

“Once again this year, the efforts were very inspiring and outstanding,” said Deck, who has served on the Beautification Commission for about 37 years.

All of this year’s winners came from the same classroom at Defer Elementary School.

The first-prize winner was Catherine Palmer, who used colored pencil and black ink to create her drawing of a large tree with deep roots and flowers in the background. It also included a quote from Warren Buffet: “Someone is sitting in the shade today because of a thoughtful person that planted a tree long ago.”

“When it’s really hot in the summer, you need a lot of shade,” Palmer explained of her design and the quote she incorporated into it.

Palmer said her poster took about three to five days to create.

“We were all noticing the intricate detail in the tree,” City Councilman Brent Dreaver told her. “It’s really beautiful.”

Hodges agreed.

“Keep making a difference in the world,” Hodges told Palmer. “We’re proud of you.”

There were also two runners-up, both of whom prominently featured butterflies in their designs.

Maria Bourdane’s poster was done in crayon and metallic marker.

“When I always think of trees, I think of trees giving life to other things,” Bourdane said.

The second runner-up was Cecily Filippone, whose poster — drawn in marker — included many bright butterflies, a bird and a bunny.

“I’ve always loved maples,” Filippone said. “When I think of trees, I think of how we need them to breathe.”

This marks the Park’s 41st year as an Arbor Day Foundation Tree City USA.

“I believe it’s (at) platinum level,” Deck said. “Very few cities get to that level, so it’s quite an honor for Grosse Pointe Park.”

Deck thanked Park officials, teachers, principals and others for their support of the contest. She also thanked the local business community, as contest entries are displayed not only at City Hall but in businesses throughout the Park.