Turning their conservation efforts into cash, several Garland ISD students were recently named winners of the Stormwater Essay Contest. Every year, the city of Garland issues a challenge to all GISD third through fifth-graders: submit a prose to promote the chosen theme. This year, nearly 2,000 essays touted “I Care About Garland’s Creeks!”
First, second and third-place winners were named in every grade level, receiving $200, $150 and $100 respectively. The teacher of each winning student was also awarded $100 for classroom supplies. And, three honorable mentions from each grade level received $25. Additionally, Bradfield Elementary School teacher Sylvia Valdez-Vasquez won $150 for class participation of at least 90 percent.
This year’s honorees include:
First place
- Third grade – Nhien Tran, Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
- Fourth grade – Ayden Young, Kimberlin Academy for Excellence
- Fifth grade – Aangela Oommen, Watson Technology Center for Math & Science
Second place
- Third grade – Rogelio Cabrera, Dorsey Elementary School
- Fourth grade – Melanie Ramirez, Classical Center at Vial Elementary School
- Fifth grade – Kunal Sawhney, Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
Third place
- Third grade – Briana Perez, Bullock Elementary School
- Fourth grade – Lochlin Belcher, Cooper Elementary School
- Fifth grade (Tie) – Ericka Nguyen, Kimberlin Academy for Excellence
- Fifth grade (Tie) – Christian Guerrero, Watson Technology Center for Math & Science
Honorable mention
- Third grade – Mallory Nelson, Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
- Third grade – Neha Rajput, Dorsey Elementary School
- Third grade – Elina Medrano, Dorsey Elementary School
- Fourth grade – Izzy Carrasco, Herfurth Elementary School
- Fourth grade – Anthony Nguyen, Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
- Fourth grade – Marvin Lam, Abbett Elementary School
- Fifth grade – Filiberto Gutierrez, Watson Technology Center for Math & Science
- Fifth grade – Emily Lawrence, Watson Technology Center for Math & Science
- Fifth grade – Sofia Gill, Walnut Glen Academy for Excellence
Photo courtesy of Kimberlin Academy