Sheri Capehart Animal Essay Contest
This annual competition inspires Arlington students in grades three through six to pen essays on topics relating to responsible pet ownership.
The contest promotes responsible pet ownership with a variety of topics that include thought-provoking questions for each grade level.
2026 Sheri Capehart Animal Essay Contest
Submission Dates:
Monday February 23 - Friday February 27, 2026
Essay Topics:
Grade 3: How can we coexist with wildlife?
Grade 4: What is migration and why do some animals migrate?
Grade 5: How are animals affected by the environment?
Grade 6: Which animal species is endangered from loss of habitat and what can we do to help?
Requirements:
Cover sheet must be attached to essay, and contain: Student’s name, Student’s address & phone, school, grade, teacher’s name; and the names of your two favorite books.
Remember that plagiarism is never acceptable and will result in immediate disqualification.
Only one essay per student.
Previous winners ineligible.
Submitted material must be original, 500 words or less, typed or handwritten, and stapled individually.
Students must reside within the City of Arlington.
Details:
Teachers may mail or hand-deliver all entries from their class, grade or school.
Entries may be hand-delivered to the Water Customer Service Desk at City Hall, 101 W. Abram St. or South Service Center, 1100 SW Green Oaks Blvd. (8 a.m. - 5 p.m.) or the Animal Services Center, 1000 S.E. Green Oaks Blvd. (10 a.m.- 6 p.m. Mon-Fri).
No hand-delivered entries accepted after 5 p.m. Friday, February 27, 2026.
Address mailed entries to the City of Arlington Animal Services Center, 1000 SE Green Oaks Blvd, 76018.
Essays will be judged on the elements of effective writing: Focus and Coherence, Organization, Development of Ideas, Voice and Conventions.
The decision of the Judges is final.
The 2024 Sheri Capehart Animal Essay Contest is sponsored by:
2024 Events
2024 Winning Essays
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Third Grade
Essay Topic: How can we coexist with wildlife?
Fourth Grade
Essay Topic: What is migration and why do some animals migrate?
Fifth Grade
Essay Topic: How are animals affected by the environment?
Sixth Grade
Essay Topic: Which animal species is endangered from loss of habitat and what can we do to help?
2023 Events
2023 Winning Essays
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Third Grade
Essay Topic: If you could make up a holiday for animals, what holiday would it be and how would you celebrate it?
Fourth Grade
Essay Topic: How do you think animals communicate with people?
Fifth Grade
Essay Topic: If you could make one rule for the world to follow about animals and everyone had to follow it...what would that rule be?
Sixth Grade
Essay Topic: In 2060 how will animal shelters be different than they are today?
2022 Events
2022 Winning Essays
Congratulations to this year's winners!
Third Grade
Essay Topic: If you could make up a holiday for animals, what holiday would it be and how would you celebrate it?
Fourth Grade
Essay Topic: How do you think animals communicate with people?
Fifth Grade
Essay Topic: If you could make one rule for the world to follow about animals and everyone had to follow it...what would that rule be?
Sixth Grade
Essay Topic: In 2060 how will animal shelters be different than they are today?