Winners Chosen for 3rd Annual Essay Contest

The Cayuga Lake Watershed Network's 3rd Annual Essay Contest addressing this year’s topic "Why is Water so Special?" announces winners in 3 categories. The caliber of the essays was high, and the committee of judges struggled to select the winning essays among approximately 100 entries. The winners received cash prizes totaling $560. The Funding has been donated by ITT Industries/Goulds Pumps, which has pump manufacturing facilities in Seneca Falls and Auburn.

Read the winning essays by selecting the division:

Peggy Arcadi of Trumansburg in Tompkins County (adult division);

Renee DeYoung of the Finger Lakes Christian School of Seneca Falls in Seneca County(high school division). Renee was named valedictorian in her graduating class, and she will attend Roberts Wesleyan next Fall.

First, second and third place winners were selected for the middle school division. First prize winner in this category was Laura McLachlan, grade 6 student of the A.J. Smith Elementary School in Aurora in Cayuga County, while Second and Third prize middle school student winners are from South Seneca Central School in Ovid in Seneca County. Second prize winner is Jamie Vazquez, and third prize winner Jordan Bastian. A special middle school award was made to Aaron of Kids Peace in Romulus (Seneca County).

All of the winning essays will be published in the upcoming issues of Network News, the Cayuga Lake Watershed Network's newsletter after being announced each year as part of National Water Week.

The Annual Essay Contest challenges youth and adults to think about their role in protecting the valuable natural resources in the Cayuga Lake Watershed. Visit the Website in January 2004 for an announcement of the theme of our next contest. The deadline for submissions is April 1. We hope to read your entries!