On Monday night, following the Ironton Christmas parade, the Lawrence County Humane Society unveiled its new calendar for 2018, featuring the artwork of students from across the county.

The group contacted all of the county’s school districts, requesting artwork for the publication, for which the proceeds will go to fund spay and neuter efforts by the group.

Rather than see an out-of-control animal population, where cats and dogs end up in shelters, the group is working to minimize stray births.

The humane society said the response to their request was tremendous, with hundreds of entries being sent in. The group narrowed down the winners to 13, one for each month and the cover.

In total, all but two of Lawrence County’s school districts took part in the effort.

In addition to highlighting local talent and allowing the students a chance to compete, the calendar will also help the group with its mission.

In addition to spay and neuter campaigns, the group also looks into cases of animal abuse throughout the county, with a humane officer conducting reports and investigations.

The group plans to do another calendar next year and we hope that more take part in the project and the effort expands.

We congratulate cover artist Wyatt Baumgardner, a sixth grader at Ironton Middle School, who donated his winnings to the group, as well as artists Shelbie Leith of Ironton High, Kadence Winters of Ironton Middle, Taylor Bennett of Symmes Valley Middle, Lukas Sharp of Symmes Valley Elementary, Tessa Shelton of Ironton Middle, Kristin Mannon of Symmes Valley Middle, Beckham Waginger of St. Lawrence Elementary, Abigail Haydon of Symmes Valley Elementary, Addison M of St. Lawrence Elementary, Lennon Crabtree of St. Lawrence Elementary, Austin Dement of Symmes Valley Elementary and Riley Winters of Ironton Elementary for their contributions.