News Briefs

Winners of 2016 Vermont poster and essay contest announced

Annual event promotes awareness of Vermont history and importance of democracy

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos has announced the winners of the 2016 Vermont poster and essay contest sponsored by his office. First-place students in each category visited Montpelier with their class Tuesday, May 24, for a tour of the Vermont State House and the Vermont Historical Society and an awards celebration with Secretary Condos.

The Secretary of State’s poster and essay contest is an annual event to promote awareness of Vermont history, the Vermont Constitution, and the importance of democracy among students in Grades K-12. The program helps encourage younger students to think about Vermont history and asks older students to contemplate the issues that impact them.

This year’s winners are:

Grades K-2

  • First place: Maya Villemaire, second grade, Elm Hill School, Springfield
  • Second place: Samantha Ruth Pedrick, second grade, Reading Elementary School
  • Third place: Christian Bisceglia, first grade, Killington Elementary School

Grades 3-5

  • First place: Molly Luikart, fourth grade, Poultney Elementary School
  • Second place: Madison Bowman, fourth grade, Coventry Village School
  • Third place: Adelie Tebbetts, fourth grade, Montessori School of Central Vermont, Berlin

Grades 6-8

  • First place: Dylan Haskins, seventh grade, People’s Academy Middle School, Morrisville
  • Second place: Madeleine Rose Moino, sixth grade, Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School, Essex Junction

Grades 9-12

  • First place: Ari Randall, ninth grade, Avalon Triumvirate Academy, Fairfax

Each first-place student was recognized with a certificate and state pin. Second- and third-place entries are also honored for their notable work and will be mailed their awards.

This year Secretary Condos received over 100 entries. “It is always a great privilege to view these student submissions. Through their posters and essays, I have a better understanding of the many ways Vermont history and politics is important to each student,” stated Secretary Condos.

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