AHEF announces winners of middle school writing contest
(06/04/2020) Each year, the Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation (AHEF) holds a middle school writing contest alongside the Coon Rapids Rotary Club. The competition is open to Anoka-Hennepin students in grades six through eight.
This year’s topic was: My Favorite Place in the World! Students wrote essays on their favorite place, near or far, a place that is an important part of their lives. All entries were limited to 500 words and were judged by grade-level.
“I want to acknowledge the thoughtful and heartfelt essays submitted by our middle school students,” said Shawna Feist, Mississippi Elementary School second-grade teacher and AHEF board member. “I am so pleased with the participation from both students and teachers. While we are disappointed we were not able to come together in-person to celebrate, I am thankful that the Coon Rapids Rotarians, AHEF, and our partners could still carry on with the contest and in the end, we were able to honor our students’ work.”
Sixth-grade winners:
- First place - Jolyn Schmitt, Oak View Middle School.
- Second place - Justin Warneke and Melissa Peterson, Oak View Middle School.
- Third place - Emily Hokanson and Danny Olson, Oak View Middle School.
- Fourth place - William Widmark, Oak View Middle School.
Seventh-grade winners:
- First place - Hannah Christensen, Oak View Middle School.
- Second place - Michelle Rivera, Oak View Middle School.
- Third place - Olivia Simpson, Oak View Middle School.
- Fourth place - Evelyn Ambriz, Oak View Middle School.
Eighth-grade winner:
- First place - Mariah Molnau, Coon Rapids Middle School.
Winners of the writing contest are usually honored at a luncheon by the Coon Rapids Rotary and the AHEF at Bunker Hills, but due to distance learning and the state’s stay-at-home order, this year’s event was canceled.
To help honor these students for their work, some submitted a video of themselves reading their essays to share with the community.
Watch students read essays:
The Anoka-Hennepin Educational Foundation cultivates equitable and innovative experiences for students through partnerships with compassionate people who have generous hearts. Learn more at ahef.us.