Goshen Intermediate Student Honored for Statewide Arbor Day Achievement
Goshen Community Schools recently recognized a student whose artwork and environmental understanding earned her top honors across the state of Indiana.
Alice Kauffman, a 5th grade student, was named the 2025–2026 Indiana Arbor Day Poster Contest winner, a statewide competition organized by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry. The contest invites fifth-grade students to explore the importance of trees through art, with this year’s theme, “Trees and Pollinators Make Perfect Partners.”
Alice’s winning poster highlights the vital relationship between trees and pollinators and reflects a strong understanding of their role in supporting ecosystems and communities.
Alice was recognized at school alongside her classmates, where students learned more about the upcoming tree planting that will take place in her honor. While the planting was originally scheduled for the same day, it will now take place later in May due to a scheduling conflict related to site preparation.
The event was led by Racheal Stenger, Outreach Coordinator for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources Community & Urban Forestry division, and included Melanie Helmuth, representing the City of Goshen and the Department of Environmental Resilience. Alice’s art teacher, Mr. Diaz Quezada, was also present to celebrate her achievement. (Pictured from left to right: Melanie Helmuth, Alice Kauffman, Juan Carlos Diaz Quezada, and Racheal Stenger)
As part of her first-place award, a redbud tree will be planted on school grounds to celebrate her accomplishment and serve as a lasting symbol of environmental stewardship.
Alice will also be recognized during Goshen’s Arbor Day Celebration on May 1, where her artwork will be honored by the Goshen Tree Board. In addition, her poster will be displayed during Arbor Day weekend at the Earth Day Extravaganza at Newfields in Indianapolis from April 23–25.
This recognition highlights the impact of student learning that connects science, art, and real-world application—while also reinforcing the importance of caring for the environment.