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The Blount County Soil Conservation District Thursday night presented seven awards at its 53rd Annual Conservation Awards Banquet at William Blount High School.

The honorees were selected by the District Board of Supervisors for their outstanding work and commitment to environmental progress.

The award winners were:

— Mark Depew;

— Lynn Waters;

— Virginia Waters and her son Andy;

— Lee Stephens and his two sons Horace Lee and Doyle.

Service Awards were presented to:

— John Wilson, director of The University of Tennessee's Blount County extension;

— Keri Chartrand, a Tennessee Valley Authority water resources representative;

— Jerry Frady, a retired district conservationist with the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Tennessee Association of Conservation Districts sponsored a conservation poster contest for students in grades K-12. Posters had to incorporate the 2009 Soil and Water Stewardship Week theme, which is "Dig It! The secrets of soil."

First place winners were Porter Elementary School's third-grader Ethan Hathcock, fourth-grader Devlin Ward and fifth-grader Elijah Whitehouse. Their art teacher is Debbe Bergin.

Heritage High School sophomore Anthony Corso, junior Erica Isbill and senior Laura Pierpont were also first place winners. Their art teacher is Rebecca Shiflett.

Second place winners were Carpenters Elementary School's third-grader Holly Stache, fourth-grader Hallie Brackett and fifth-grader Alex Hutsell. Their art teacher is Norma Stache.

Heritage High School sophomore Erin Hackney, junior Toni Payne and senior Jenna Reese were also second place winners.

Third place winners were Carpenters Elementary School's third-grader Madison Yongue and fifth-grader Channing Bragg. Heritage High School sophomore Omar Sanchez and junior William Best were also third place winners.