Solanco High School student Devon Culberson has been recognized for excellence in poetry. Last year, while a student at Swift Middle School, Devon was among thousands of students from around the world who submitted an entry in the 2020 Ocean Awareness Contest, and she won a Distinguished Honorable Mention Award in the Poetry category. Devon's piece, "In Your Hands," was selected from submissions by more than 5,000 participants worldwide. She has received a cash award and is featured in Bow Seat's international Ocean Advocacy Gallery at https://bowseat.org/gallery/in-your-hands/ and on its social media channels.

Bow Seat Awareness Programs sponsors the Ocean Awareness Contest that Devon participated in. Bow Seat "engages youth in creatively raising awareness of environmental issues impacting our blue planet." The 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest is now open and will remain open until Monday, June 14. This year's theme is "Water Rising," and students ages 11 to 18 are invited to create and submit art, film, music, web-based media, or creative writing that communicates the need to protect the world's oceans. Bow Seat is offering Educator Innovation Awards to teachers who use the 2021 Ocean Awareness Contest as a teaching tool in in-person or virtual classrooms. For more information, readers may email anne@bowseat.org.