Downing, Simonson named tops in state for agricultre artistry

Rhiaunna Simonson and Emerson Downing both come from Phillips County ranch families and the wisdom they’ve learned from the prairie and applied it to art and each was recognized as best in the state for their respective age ranges at this year’s Ag in the Classroom Bumper Sticker contest.

Rhiaunna, the daughter of Carrie and Jesse Simonson of Whitewater, a third-grade student at Whitewater Public Schools, and Emerson, the daughter of Kelly and Shawn Downing and a fifth-grade student at Saco Public Schools, will both get to attend an award ceremony in Helena in the coming weeks as well...