Commissioner Bush announces winners of the Save Texas History Essay Contest

Texas Land Commissioner George P. Bush today announced the fourth- and seventh- grade winners of the 2016 Save Texas History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Texas General Land Office's Save Texas History Program.  The Essay Contest encourages students to answer the question, "What history in your community, or in Texas, is worth saving?"  

 

Students across Texas won in the the 2016 Save Texas History Essay Contest

"As a former history teacher it's especially rewarding to encourage students to learn more about our state's rich history by participating in the annual Save Texas History Essay Contest," said Commissioner Bush. "I want to thank all students who submitted essays as well as the teachers and parents who encouraged them to participate. The submissions were thoughtful and creative examples of how future generations of Texans appreciate the rich history in their local communities and around the state, and what these students would do to save Texas history. Congratulations to everyone who won and to all who participated."

The fourth- grade grand prize winner is Shawnee Pool, daughter of Tammie Pool. Shawnee is in Ms. Lawrence's class at Pottsboro Elementary in Pottsboro. Shawnee explained how the Twin Sisters Dance Hall in Blanco was important to save because of its value as an historic community and cultural center since 1870.

The seventh- grade grand prize winner is Abby House, daughter of Regina House. Abby is in Ms. Sandidge's class at Needville Junior High in Needville. Abby explained how the Imperial Sugar Building in Sugarland was important to save because of its agricultural and economic impact on the region and its value as the prime producer of refined sugar for the state.

The winning submissions earn these two accomplished essayists a complimentary three-day car rental from National Car Rental, as well as several prizes from the San Antonio Tourism Council, including a three-day (two-night stay) in San Antonio, tickets to Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns, the San Antonio Zoo, and other area attractions. The 10 finalists in each grade level won Save Texas History backpacks, certificates of appreciation signed by Land Commissioner George P. Bush, and a historic map reproduction from the Land Office map collection. The names of all finalists appear on the Save Texas History website at www.savetexashistory.org.

The fourth- grade runners up are:

Sophia Curiel - El Paso 
Reyes Elementary 
Teacher: Ms. Guerrero 
Parents: Rogelio and Carmen Curiel 
Topic: El Paso Street in downtown El Paso

Corbet Cowey - Stockdale 
Stockdale Elementary 
Teacher: Venicia Monita 
Parents: Corbet and Brenda Cowey 
Topic: The Clock Tower at Fort Sam Houston

Brennan Rice - Pottsboro 
Pottsboro Elementary 
Parent: Sheila Rice 
Topic: Lake Texoma

Britain Emerson - Austin 
Boone Elementary 
Teacher: Samantha Barrett 
Parent: Charis Emerson 
Topic: Zilker Park in Austin

Dorsey Warstler - Austin 
Boone Elementary 
Teacher: Evon Davis 
Parents: Morgan and Sherina Warstler 
Topic: Lady Bird Lake downtown Austin

Jaidyn Landry - Houston 
Green Valley Elementary 
Teacher: Kimberly Hancock 
Parent: Grant Landry 
Topic: Mission San Jose in San Antonio

Joyce Bennett - San Antonio 
Blessed Sacrament Catholic School 
San Antonio, TX  78216 
Teacher: Laurine Heinsheimer 
Parent: Juanita Rodriguez 
Topic: Tower of the Americas in San Antonio

Ian Kelley - Austin 
Boone Elementary 
Teacher: Samantha Barrett 
Parent: Christina Kelley 
Topic: Enchanted Rock in Enchanted Rock State Park

Sofia Thapa - Corsicana 
James L. Collins Catholic School 
Teacher: Fred Lagomarsino 
Topic: Temple Beth-El in Corsicana

Jonathan Ramirez - Houston 
Green Valley Elementary 
Teacher: Marion Brown 
Parent: Annabelle Garcia 
Topic: Spanish Missions in Texas

The 7th grade runners up are:

Addie Fusig - Alvin 
Grace Ward Harby Junior High School 
Teacher: Jerry Nelson 
Parent: Sarah Fusig 
Topic: The Astrodome in Houston

Damien Panton - Austin 
Fulmore Middle School 
Teacher: Carrie Schreiber 
Parent: Kathy Panton 
Topic: Fulmore Middle School Building

Kathryn Mendoza - Wimberley 
Danforth Junior High School 
Teacher: Tommy Bennett 
Parents: Richard and Beth Mendoza 
Topic: Houston's Old Sixth Ward

Victoria Ramos - El Paso 
Ysleta Middle School 
Teacher: Wendy Lee Carrasco Solorio 
Parent: Alice Ramos 
Topic: Ysleta Mission in El Paso

Emily Ray - Keller 
Keller Middle School 
Teacher: Heidi Cox 
Parent: Doyle Ray 
Topic: The Water Tower in Keller

John Reyna - Houston 
South Houston Intermediate School 
Houston, TX  77587 
Teacher: Aimee Schultz 
Parent: Blanca A. Reyna 
Topic: The Astrodome in Houston

Devany Garza - Needville 
Needville Junior High School 
Teacher: Jana Sandidge 
Parent: Yolanda Garza 
Topic: Needville Water Tower

Caroline Wei - Cypress 
Hamilton Middle School 
Teacher: Teri Sarver 
Parent: Hungwei Wei 
Topics: The Onate Crossing and the Port Isabel Yacht Club

Sanjana Shangle - Plano 
Pat and Catherine Fowler Middle School 
Teacher: Margie Fitzgerald 
Parent: Tarun Shangle 
Topics: The Alamo and the Fort Worth Stockyards

Eveleigh Jenning - Wimberley 
Danforth Junior High School 
Teacher: Tommy Bennett 
Parent: Andrea Brown 
Topic: San Solomon Springs at Balmorhea State Park 
  
All public, private and home-schooled students of appropriate age for the fourth grade or seventh grade were eligible to participate. Essays for the annual contest are judged on originality of idea, cohesiveness of thought and organization, with help from the UTeach Liberal Arts Program at the University of Texas-Austin.

The Texas General Land Office Save Texas History™ program is a statewide initiative to rally public support and private funding for the preservation and promotion of more than 35 million historic maps and documents. With the twin goals of preservation and education, the Save Texas History program seeks to conserve these documents for future generations and educate Texans about the rich heritage found in these vital records. For more details, visit SaveTexasHistory.org.

You can follow Save Texas History at Facebook.com/SaveTXHistory and Twitter at Twitter.com/SaveTxHistory

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