"River of Words" poetry and art contest winners were recognized by the Newton County Board of Commissioners.

The contest, which is sponsored by Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful, required local students to create art or poetry that must feature water.

KCNB will send all the entries to California for entry into the national contest. Contest officials in California later send them back to Georgia for entry into the state contest.

Winners were chosen in four grade categories: Kindergarten through Second Grade; Third through Sixth Grade; Seventh through Ninth Grade; and 10th through 12th Grade.

Members of the Service Guild of Covington judged the contest and donated funds to offset the cost of prizes.

Prizes for 2012 were Walmart gift cards: $40 for first place, $30 for second place, and $20 for third place.