Chewonki announces winners of summer "Hero Adaptations" contest held in conjunction with public library reading programs across Maine

Sept. 14, 2015Wiscasset, Maine  Chewonki recently announced the winners of its summer "Hero Adaptations" contest, held in conjunction with libraries across Maine. Children who attended Chewonki's “Hero Adaptations” program at their local library were eligible to enter the statewide contest. Participants had to provide a written description of their own owl-inspired superhero, its super powers, and its day job, as well as a picture of the creature. 
Chewonki received 45 entries and chose three runners-up and one grand prize winner. Runners-up are Katie H. B., age 8, from the Cundy’s Harbor Library in Harpswell; Eamonn, age 7 ½, from the Belgrade Center for All Seasons in Belgrade; and Jessica, age 4, from the Naples Public Library. The grand prize winner is Izzy, age 10, from the South Portland Public Library. 
Izzy drew “the Hoot,” an artist and Olympic swimmer by day, and the Hoot’s sidekick, Echo, who helps fight their archenemy, Atilla. Eamonn’s Great Owl makes sure to “get enough sleep so he can catch bad guys at night.” By day, Great Owl works as a “mattress tester.” Katie H. B.’s Ninja Owl Girl “can hear every single sound for miles.” She is also a reporter “who never forgets to ask the question, ‘Hoo?’ (Who?)” Jessica chose to sculpt her characters in Play-Doh and take photos of them. All the young heroes deserve congratulations for their attentiveness to the Hero Adaptations program and their super creativity.
Keith Crowley, director of Chewonki’s Traveling Natural History Programs (TNHP), and his staff developed the Hero Adaptations program to complement the 2015 summer reading theme, “Every Hero Has a Story,” at Maine public libraries. Crowley says that Traveling Natural History Programs “support and enrich what an educator is teaching, whether at a library or a school—and our live animals help bring the lessons alive.” 
“We knew that presenting this program at libraries would inspire young readers and get them interested in natural history,” he explains. “Animals have so many fascinating abilities that popular fictional heroes like Batman and Spider-Man also possess.” Chewonki gave the Hero Adaptations program in 35 Maine communities this summer. It focuses on the extraordinary adaptations (attributes acquired through evolution in response to living conditions) of bats, spiders, and owls. “It’s been a big hit, “ says Matt Weeks, one of the Chewonki educators. “What child hasn’t wished he or she had some of the amazing powers that animals share with super heroes?” Chewonki Foundation, based in Wiscasset, Maine, offers nature-based education programs year-round that inspire transformative growth, teach appreciation and stewardship of the natural world, and challenge people to build thriving, sustainable communities throughout their lives. For more information, go to www.chewonki.org or call 882-7323, ext. 147. To see images of the winning entries go to blogs.chewonki.org/stories/2015/09/10/new-traveling-natural-history-program-inspires-dreams-of-super-powers.