This spring the Friends of Sengekontacket held their annual Carry In/Carry Home poster contest with all five Island elementary schools and the Martha’s Vineyard Public Charter School. The project was funded by a generous grant from the Edey Foundation.

For 20 years, the Friends of Sengekontacket has sponsored the poster contest and the winning posters have been displayed at the 48 entrances to State Beach and along the road entrances to Sengekontacket Pond.

Previously, the poster contest was limited to the Edgartown and Oak Bluffs Schools, but last year, at the suggestion of the Edey Foundation, the contest was extended to all the Island schools in order to display artwork at all Island town beaches and ponds.

Betsy Dripps and Chick Stapleton worked with over 425 students in grades three through six. All students who made a poster received a coupon for one hour of free kayaking or paddleboarding from Island Spirit Kayak thanks to the generous donation from Chick Stapleton.

In all, 142 winning posters were selected to be displayed at all the Island beaches and ponds and in all the town libraries. Each winner received their original laminated poster, a congratulations letter and $20. The best part, however, is knowing that the posters will be displayed where both Islanders and visitors can see them and hopefully will pay attention to the message.

We added 30 more signs this spring that were made by Bill Vrooman, husband of board member Kris Vrooman, and distributed to land bank, Sheriffs’ Meadow and Trustees of the Reservation properties that are near the ocean or ponds.

Be on the lookout for this year’s colorful winning posters. They are spectacular and have an important message.

To learn more about Friends Of Sengekontacket visit sengekontacket.org.

Betsy Drips

West Tisbury