Coast Day 2022 Essay Contest winners

Photo illustration by Tammy Beeson

Even though Coast Day 2022 was cancelled due to inclement weather, the Coast Day 5th Grade Essay Writing Contest was still held and saw around 60 contest entries from schools throughout the state of Delaware.  

Alana Fan, a student in Mrs. Hynes and Mrs. Karsnitz class at Love Creek Elementary School, took home first place honors for her essay titled “Weathering the Storm.” The essay is about a young boy named Andy who sees a tornado approaching his home and escapes with his family. Though the tornado ultimately destroys his family’s home, the essay ends on a positive note with Andy acknowledging that after a tragedy, there is time to rebuild.

“Running this contest is always one of my favorite parts of my year. I love the combination of the arts, like writing, and science,” said David Christopher, marine education specialist for Delaware Sea Grant. For the winning essay in particular, Christopher said that he was struck by Fan’s interesting take on the topic and her engaging writing style.

Eliza Evans, a student in Ms. Windsor’s class at Rehoboth Elementary, received second place in the contest, while Jocelyn Vargas, a student in Ms. Skaug’s class at Gallaher Elementary School, received third place.

Honorable Mentions honors went to Aubrey Dickerson, a student in Mrs. Puleo’s class at Thurgood Marshall Elementary, Daulton Taylor, a student in Mr. Werbrich’s class at May B. Leasure Elementary School, and Zach Day, a student in Mrs. Waddell’s class at Rehoboth Elementary School.

Article by Adam Thomas