Speech contest open to all students in grades 9-12

Speech contest open to all students in grades 9-12 South Dakota Rural Electric Association, East River and Rushmore Electric Power Cooperatives are providing $2,300 in scholarships for the 2004 Resource Conservation Speech Contest.

Any South Dakota student in grades 9 through 12, is eligible to participate. The theme for the 2004 contest is "Clean Water � America's Lifeline." The state finals will be held in Pierre April 3, 2004.

For more information, contact your local conservation district or Cec Johnson at the Resource Conservation & Forestry Division at (605) 773-3623 or 1-800-228-5254 (toll-free in South Dakota). An entry form and complete list of rules can be found on the Resource Conservation and Forestry Web site at www.state.sd.us/doa/forestry/speech-contest.htm