Surprise visits to schools brought excited anticipation and joy to students on Friday, Feb. 17, as former Mayor Pro Tempore and Council member Sheri Capehart announced this year’s winners of the animal essay contest.
In its 22nd year, the contest inspires creative writing and strengthens mindfulness of the importance of responsible pet ownership.
Students composed thoughtful essays – some with vivid and picturesque descriptions about animals and humans communicating with each other, and high-tech animal shelters imagined in 2060 as having robotic pet buddies and the invention of rechargeable collars designed to make and keep pets healthy.
Essays expressed compassion for animals – some with ideas to increase the success of pets being better matched with pet owners to help reduce the number of loose, abandoned animals and those entering shelters.
The competition was strong, and a total of 12 student essays were selected as winners from talented third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders. Congratulations to Mary Moore and Wood Elementary schools for producing the most winning essays.
Amanda Vu, the gifted and talented teacher/educator at Mary Moore Elementary produced winners in almost every grade level category. Cindy Rohan, sixth grade teacher/educator at Wood Elementary landed all of the sixth-grade student winning entries.
The contest, implemented in 2001, is designed to promote responsible pet ownership and is open to students who reside in Arlington and attend public, charter, and home schools in the city limits.
Click here to read the winning essays or click the links below.
Drum roll please…This year's winners are:
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?
Visit the gallery of photos from the school visits announcing the awards.
Sponsors for this year’s essay contest were Spring Creek Barbeque, EECU, University of Texas at Arlington TRIO Pre-College Programs, Sheri Capehart, and the City of Arlington Animal Services.
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