Congratulations to our 2008/09 Essay Contest Winners!

This year we received nearly 500 essay entries, spanning Kindergarten through 12th grade. With so many excellent essays (including artwork) on the importance of saving even just one animal and the ways to accomplish this goal, the NHES Humane Education & Advocacy Department had the challenging, but delightful task of choosing 3 winners and 2 honorable mentions for each of the four grade categories.

Our sincere thanks and a huge round of applause to all the students, teachers, parents, and other compassionate people who participated in the contest!

Winners—your names and places are listed below.*  Congratulations!  Please expect your prize package to arrive by end of March 2009.

We hope you enjoy these quotes from each of the winning essays.

Grades K - 2

First Place

Billy Kubovick, Grade 1, West Virginia

“You can save an animal by adopting from a shelter…when you save a pet you gain a spot in your heart that can never get torn away.”

Second Place

Adia Bulawa, Grade 2, New York

“We took the money we got [from recycling] and brought it to the animal shelter.  This way we helped the environment and got money for the animals.”

Third Place

Angel Workman, Grade 1, West Virginia

“The best way to save a animal is to adopt one and love it a long time.”

Honorable Mention

Sierra Slick, Kindergarten, West Virginia   Drawing: Cat walk.

Honorable Mention

Alyssa Heironimus, Kindergarten, West Virginia   Drawing: Dog play.

Grades 3 - 5  

First Place

Beverly Figueroa, Grade 5, Virginia

“I would also tell people at stores to stop selling clothing with fur on it, because that is not so nice to do to animals.”

Second Place

Delsea Albanese, Grade 4, New Jersey

“Stray animals can even be helped by stopping your car and taking it in or giving it love and care.”

Third Place

Morgan Panzenhagen, Grade 3, Wisconsin

“One day, at school, we all had to bring in pennies if you wanted to, and help save the baby whales…I don’t know how many whales we saved, but I think we sure save alot.”

Honorable Mention

Edgar Moreno, Grade 3, Virginia

“I can help one animal by giving it healthy food and walk it every morning, afternoon and night.”

Honorable Mention

Mohamed Barry, Grade 3, Maryland

“We all have to be nice to any living thing even if we really don’t want to do it.”

Grades 6 - 8 

First Place

Austin Carter, Grade 7, Virginia

“They are a part of my family…animals have hearts too and show emotions when they are upset about something or if they are hurt.”

Second Place

            Chris Scott, Grade 8, New Jersey

“The animal may no[t] understand why it was treated badly, but it will recognize and appreciate the good will that comes from the person that rescues them.”

Third Place

Jenn Biebel, Grade 6, West Virginia

“Just by adoption one animal you are making a world a better place. You save the animal from being hurt, abused, alone and cold, and left out to die.”

Honorable Mention

Caitie Sherbo, Grade 8, New Jersey

“Animals are a part of the world and deserve to be living just as much as people do.”

Honorable Mention

Jake Bassinder, Grade 8, New Jersey

“Every sentient creature, human or animal, deserves a full life.”

Grades 9 – 12

First Place

Mayra Lopez, Grade 12, Washington

“It is important to defend even just one animal because every animal deserves to live a long and peaceful life…in my opinion, all animals are precious and they should not be abused emotionally or physically.”

Second Place

Tim Warriner, Grade 10, Washington

“Saving just one animal is one of the best things you could possibly do. I think this because when someone spots you saving an animal—even a helpless turtle—it might influence them to do the same.”

Third Place

Richard Brewer, Grade 10, Washington

“So remember donating is not about how much, but that it happens.”

Honorable Mention

Laria Nelson, Grade 9, Tennessee

“Animals are living creatures just as we are and they deserve to be treated with the utmost respect.”

Honorable Mention

Max Munoz, Grade 10, Washington

“Saving one dog would leave room for another to take his place in the pound and maybe his turn will be next to be adopted to a new family."

#

*To protect student’s privacy, participating schools are not listed at this time.