Putting a pen to the past

Sixteen public, private and homeschooled students from throughout Kootenai County were declared winners of the fourth annual Student Essay Contest on Kootenai County History at an awards ceremony Wednesday.

The contest and ceremony are sponsored by the Kootenai County Historic Preservation Commission. Eight middle-school level and eight high-school level students received first, second and third place awards with five additional students in each level receiving honorable mention awards. The 16 winning essays (including one submitted by a team of two students) were chosen from among 65 essay entries.

Charged with playing the role of a Kootenai County commissioner in 1910 responding to an inquiry from a Mr. Smith about whether he should move his family and lumber mill business to Kootenai County, students were required to write their essays in the form of a letter responding to Mr. Smith’s questions about Kootenai County in that time period.

First place, second place and third place winners received cash prizes of $200, $100 and $50 respectively as well as a gift certificate for a “broomball” party for up to 30 people donated by the Frontier Ice Arena. All winners received a letter from the Board of County Commissioners making them honorary members of the HPC.

Awards were presented to each student by HPC chairman Robert Singletary and County Commissioner Chris Fillios after each gave inspiring remarks about the importance of local history awareness to an audience of more than 80 people including the students, family members and teachers.

“You’re all winners!” HPC vice chairman Skip Fuller said to the students at the ceremony’s conclusion.

First place for the high school contest was awarded to Lupine Springs Academy Home School 10th-grader Sarah Hoatson.

First place for the middle school contest was awarded to St. Dominic’s School eighth-grader Mary Clare Powers.

Other winners:

Second place — Lake City High School sophomore Nikayla Reason and Immaculate Conception Academy sixth-grader Dante Hughes.

Third place — Immaculate Conception Academy freshman Cajetan Hughes and home school seventh-grader Arial Chafin.

Middle school level students receiving honorable mention awards: Mark Goggin, grade seven, Immaculate Conception Academy; Samantha Marie Hayes, grade eight, River City Middle School; Karl Jones, grade six, Immaculate Conception Academy; Anneka Leatham and Madeleine Leahy (team entry), grade eight, St. Dominic's School; and Devin Myers, grade eight, River City Middle School.

High school level students receiving honorable mention awards: Lake City High School junior Crista Falk; St. Dominic's School junior Mary Green; Coeur d’Alene High School freshman Neve Peteron; Kootenai High School senior Faith Pfeiffer; and Immaculate Conception Academy sophomore Mark Pierce.