Winners of Children’s Contest, “Name the Little Turtle,” Are Awarded

The U.S. Government, through its Agency for International Development (USAID), in conjunction with the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock and the newspaper La Prensa Gráfica, awarded this morning the winners of the children’s contest, “Name the Little Turtle.”  The contest is a pro-environment initiative in which over 100 children participated through La Prensa Gráfica’s children magazine Palomitas de Papel.   

Starting in November, the contest encouraged magazine readers to name a character representing the chelonia or sea turtle.  U.S. Ambassador Charles L. Glazer and other guests of honor awarded the winners of the first, second and third places, as well as eight more participants who explained why they like turtles.  

First to third place winners received gift certificates for $100, $75 and $50 respectively.  The first place was awarded to Johanna Raquel Mayén Urías, 8, from San Juan Opico, La Libertad, who chose the name “Quelita” for the turtle.  The second place was awarded to Josué Miguel Vásquez Granadino, 10, from Ciudad Delgado, San Salvador, with the name proposal “Carapachito.”  The third place was awarded to Paola Michelle Abrego, 7, from Cuscatancingo, San Salvador, who chose the name “Serafina.”

USAID supports the Salvadoran Government, groups interested in fishing and tourism, local communities and non-governmental organizations to reduce turtle egg consumption, which will lead to the species conservation.