Los Altos students in grades 3 through 6 - 449 of them - wrote about "Why Los Altos is Special for Children" as part of the 15th annual Margaret Thompson Historical contest. The winners were recently notified by mail.
Students were asked to write and describe the history of their favorite place, activity or event in Los Altos.
The resulting essays described several events and locations, including the annual Pet Parade and Festival of Lights Parade to Redwood Grove, History House, and Shoup Park.
Three winners from each grade level were honored May 11 at an ice cream social at History House. Los Altos mayor Louis Becker presented certificates and cash prizes to the winners: $50 for first place; $25 for second place; and $10 for third place. The judges recognized 30 additional students for honorable mention.
This annual contest is sponsored by the city of Los Altos Recreation Department and Historical Commission, with assistance from the History House Education Committee. Current members of the City of Los Altos Historical Commission are chairwoman Janet Freeland, Nan Geschke, Mark Sandoval, Steven Aced, Beverly McChesney, Paul Foerester and Doris Hawks.
The judges for this year's contest were Conrad Heintzelman, Beverly Mcchesney, Shirley Stevens, Cindy Roberts, Janet Freeland and Doris Hawks.
The 1999 Los Altos Historical Commission Essay Contest Winners are:
Third grade
First Place: Michelle Dentinger,Loyola
Second Place: Grant Glazebrook,Loyola
Third Place: Sophia Monroe, St. Nicholas
FOURTH GRADE
First Place: Yousef Saadeh, Bullis-Purissima
Second Place: Annemarie Everett, Oak School
Third Place: Sarah Bettman,Oak
FIFTH GRADE
First Place: Ryan Patrick Pei, Loyola
Second Place: Carolyn Whitesell, Loyola
Third Place: Jordan Sims,Loyola
SIXTH GRADE
First Place: Daniel Oracia, St. Simon
Second Place: Alex Elledge, Santa Rita
Third Place: Maria M. Lu, Santa Rita