What should the New York State Butterfly be?

Harmony Hill fifth graders in Darcy Pilawski's class will have a say in what the New York State Butterfly will be through a statewide vote for students in grades 3 through 5.

The contest, sponsored by New York State Assemblywoman Sandy Galef (D-Ossining), gives students the chance to vote for one of five butterflies that are seen around the state. The butterflies nominated include: the Black Swallowtail, the Karner Blue Butterfly, Milbert's Tortoiseshell, the Mourning Cloak and the Red Spotted Purple/White Admiral.

"This contest has given me a chance to educate my students about the various types of butterflies that live in New York, and broadened their understanding of the state's ecology," Pilawski said.

So far, more than 33,000 students from across the state have voted in the contest, including all Grade 3, 4 and 5 students at Harmony Hill, and Galef's office anticipates it will have official results in early January.

Once the voting is finished, Galef is planning to introduce legislation in the Assembly to designate the winning butterfly as the official New York State butterfly in 2008. Senator Leibell has agreed to introduce the legislation in the Senate.