Students compete in essay contest to find what Texas history is worth saving
AUSTIN (KXAN) –Fourth and seventh-grade students across Texas competed in the annual Save Texas History Essay Contest. The winners and finalists were announced today by the Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D.
The contest is sponsored by the Texas General Land Office’s, or TGLO, Save Texas History program. They oversee the funding for the preservation and promotion of more than 35 million historic maps and documents across Texas, according to a TGLO news release.
Their initiative is to conserve historical documents and educate future generations about the heritage found in these records.
The essay question was, “What history in your community is worth saving?”
“It has been an honor to read about young Texans’ passion for our state’s rich history. These students truly produced many incredible essays for this one-of-a-kind competition,” said Commissioner Buckingham in the release. “Both of our grand prize winners, Katy and Coltier wrote about unique parts of their communities that bring people and families together in tradition and good fun.”
Fourth-grader Katy Bowman is in Yeraldinne John’s class at Doral Academy Texas in Buda. Her award-winning essay, “My Courthouse”, was about the Caldwell County’s courthouse and square. She wrote about the many festivals and events it hosts such as farmers’ markets, Courthouse Nights, Run for the Bulls, Día de los Muertos and the annual Christmas parade, the release said.
“People from the community come and listen to music, talk, dance, and laugh together,” Bowman wrote in the release.
Seventh-grader Coltier Dodd is in Darcey Ham’s class at Northside Independent School District in Vernon. His prize-winning piece, “The Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds – Keeping Traditions Alive”, highlighted the only wooden rodeo arena that is still being used in Texas. He said he has a personal connection to the local riding club from his grandfather and mother.
He wrote in his essay about the everlasting history to continue, “for many more generations to come.”
The grand prize winners will receive a $500 gift card courtesy of Chris Cantu of Kingsview Partners. The 10 finalists, five from each grade, will each receive a $100 gift card courtesy of the Moses Austin Chapter of the Sons of the Republic of Texas and Buck Cole.
All winners and finalists will also receive a letter of appreciation signed by Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., and other prizes from the TGLO and Texas State Historical Association. Teachers of winning students were awarded as well.
You can find more information of the competition here:
https://savetexashistory.org/education/essay-contest/index.html
Fourth grade finalists are listed below:
Thiago Braga, Dearing Elementary School
Essay Topic: Texas Capitol Building
William Miller, Brentwood Christian School
Essay Topic: Walnut Creek
Olen Nnabuihe, Windermere Elementary School
Essay Topic: Lake Pflugerville
Arielle Solomon, Ohr Zahava School/Great Hearts Online Texas
Essay Topic: Honeybees and the local environment
Kinsey Paige Weinheimer, Industrial Elementary West
Essay Topic: Industrial Little League Ballpark
Seventh grade finalists are listed below:
Ganessa Kluger, Ohr Zahava School/Great Hearts Online Texas
Essay Topic: Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Malayshia Livingston, Odyssey Academy
Essay Topic: 1900 Great Storm Statue
Yukta Sri Mididoddi, Bill Hays Middle School
Essay Topic: The St. Louis San Francisco Railway
Benjamin Rottinghaus, Memorial Middle School
Essay Topic: Texas expressions and language
Pranati S. Tumuluri, Bill Hays Middle School
Essay Topic: Cattle Trails on Preston Road
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