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Essay Contest

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2023 Save Texas History Essay Contest Results.

Texas Land Commissioner Dawn Buckingham, M.D., is pleased to announce the winners and finalists of the 2023 Save Texas History Essay Contest, sponsored by the Texas General Land Office’s Save Texas History Program. Fourth- and seventh-grade students from across Texas answered the question, “What history in your community is worth saving?”

"It has been an honor to read about young Texans' passion for our state's rich history. These students truly produced many incredible essays for this one-of-a-kind competition," said Commissioner Buckingham. “Both of our grand prize winners, Katy and Coltier, wrote about unique parts of their communities that bring people and families together in tradition and good fun. Congratulations to this year’s winners, the finalists, and all who contributed their creativity and invaluable perspectives to the ongoing story of Texas' history!"


The fourth-grade grand prize winner is Katy Bowman, daughter of Melony and James Bowman. Katy is in Yeraldinne John’s class at Doral Academy Texas in Buda. Her essay, My Courthouse, shares her love of Caldwell County’s courthouse and square. She particularly loves the many festivals and events it hosts, such as farmers’ markets, Courthouse Nights, Run for the Bulls, Día de los Muertos, and the annual Christmas parade. As Katy notes, “People from the community come and listen to music, talk, dance, and laugh together.”

 

 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ESSAY

 


The seventh-grade grand prize winner is Coltier Dodd, son of Lauren and Shawn Dodd. Coltier is in Darcey Ham’s class at Northside ISD in Vernon. His essay, The Santa Rosa Rodeo Grounds – Keeping Traditions Alive, showcases the only wooden rodeo arena still in use in Texas. Coltier’s connection is also personal, with both his grandfather and mother having a long history with the local riding club – and hopefully that will continue “for many more generations to come.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD ESSAY

 

The grand prize winners will each receive a $500 gift card courtesy of Christopher Cantu of Kingsview Partners in Georgetown. The ten finalists will each receive a $100 gift card courtesy of the Sons of the Republic of Texas (SRT) – Moses Austin Chapter, and Buck Cole. In addition, the SRT, Texas State Historical Association, and Texas General Land Office will provide an assortment of contest prizes to all the winning students and their teachers.

 

Fourth Grade Finalists:

Thiago Braga

Dearing Elementary School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Andrea Fernandes and Augusto Braga, Pflugerville, TX

Teacher: Jamie Cowan

Essay Topic: Texas Capitol Building

 

William Miller

Brentwood Christian School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Lindsay and Michael Miller, Austin, TX

Teacher: Brittney Rackley

Essay Topic: Walnut Creek

 

Olen Nnabuihe

Windermere Elementary School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Miriam and Obi Nnabuihe, Pflugerville, TX

Teacher: Tim Lee

Essay Topic: Lake Pflugerville



Arielle Solomon

Ohr Zahava School/Great Hearts Online Texas

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Leah and Avraham Solomon, Houston, TX

Teachers: Sara Masarsky and Megan Salaiz

Essay Topic: Honeybees and the local environment

 

Kinsey Paige Weinheimer

Industrial Elementary West

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Joleen and Klint Weinheimer, Inez, TX

Teacher: Kori Bordovsky

Essay Topic: Industrial Little League Ballpark

 


 

Seventh Grade Finalists:

Ganessa Kluger

Ohr Zahava School/Great Hearts Online Texas

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Megan and Jacob Kluger, Houston, TX

Teachers: Sara Masarsky and Jessica Guinn

Essay Topic: Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

 

Malayshia Livingston

Odyssey Academy

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Meoucha Davis and Aretha Davis (Grandmother), Galveston, TX

Teacher: Kella Dohring

Essay Topic: 1900 Great Storm Statue

 

Yukta Sri Mididoddi

Bill Hays Middle School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Swarna Latha and Gopi Krishna Mididoddi, Frisco, TX

Teacher: Jessica McDowell

Essay Topic: The St. Louis San Francisco Railway

 

Benjamin Rottinghaus

Memorial Middle School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Tracy Leroy and Brandon Rottinghaus, Houston, TX

Teacher: Caroline Maddox

Essay Topic: Texas expressions and language

 

Pranati S. Tumuluri

Bill Hays Middle School

Parent(s)/Guardian(s): Madhavi and Srinivas Tumuluri, Frisco, TX

Teacher: Jessica McDowell

Essay Topic: Cattle Trails on Preston Road


 

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 were judged on originality of idea, cohesiveness of thought and organization. Proper grammar, spelling and punctuation were also taken into account.

For more information, contact archives@glo.texas.gov.

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.



You can follow Save Texas History at https://www.facebook.com/SaveTXHistory and Twitter at https://twitter.com/SaveTxHistory. Follow the Texas General Land Office on Facebook at http://www.txglo.org/facebook, or Twitter at http://www.txglo.org/twitter, or YouTube at http://www.txglo.org/youtube.