Animal Essay Winners Share Essays and Affection for Adoptable Pets
By Office of Communication
Posted on April 18, 2013, April 18, 2013

It was an action packed day for essay winners at a Barnes & Noble Reading/Reception event and an Animal Services Center tour

The twelfth annual Animal Essay contest concluded in a fun day with students reading aloud their winning essays and the homeless adoptable pets receiving lots of hugs and attention.

Thought provoking questions stirred up a lot of creativity in the 2013 Annual Animal Essay Contest, with 12 winners selected from over 1,000 thoughtful and competitive essay entries.

Animal Essay Contest winners were described as "our future leaders" by Council member Sheri Capehart at the recent Barnes & Noble event where these distinguished writers gathered to read their award winning essays to a captive audience.

Carlos Arrazola, a sixth grade winner from Butler Elementary enthusiastically concluded his essay with "By making informed choices when buying a pet, taking good care of them, spaying, and neutering them, we can prevent overpopulation growth of cats and dogs in our city."

Arrazola's words of wisdom spoken with passion are at the heart of the Animal Services Center's desire to spread responsible pet ownership knowledge. All of the award winning students present shared their enlightening essays, and had an opportunity to learn more about their brand new Nook.

Third grade Glen Harmon Elementary winner, An'nas Bayyoud described his favorite part of winning in the contest was getting to meet and shake hands with the Mayor.

From Barnes & Noble, these bright students headed to the Animal Services Center (ASC) where Marketing and Volunteer Coordinator Cheri Colbert provided a behind the scenes tour where they saw a snake, bunnies, and lots of homeless animals. They learned about shelter operations, and for many, one of the best parts was getting to interact with the adoptable animals.

The City of Arlington wishes to thank all of the community partners and sponsors that helped make this contest one of the best yet:

Barnes & Noble | Carrizo Oil & Gas | EECU | Star-Telegram | UT Arlington

Adoptable Pets

The ASC wishes to extend special appreciation to the Mayor and City Council; the Arlington Animal Service Center Advisory Board; Arlington Independent School District; Mansfield and Kennedale Independent School Districts; all private schools that participated; homeschoolers; and each and every student that took part in this event. Congratulations to all the winners and to everyone that put forth their best effort in submitting an entry! We are already looking forward to next year.

Read the winning essays

View photos of the Barnes & Noble readings

Video clip of Carlos Arrazola's essay presentation

View photos of the Animal Services Center tour

Learn more about the Animal Essay Contest

Interested in donating your time volunteering?

Visit the Animal Services website

For more information, contact Cheri Colbert with the Animal Services Center at 817-459-6183.

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Animal Essay Contest winners read their essays at Barnes & Noble at the Parks Mall on Saturday, March 23

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