Friday, Mar. 23, 2012
Sun-Star staff
http://www.mercedsunstar.com/2012/03/23/2280526/merced-county-youth-wins-ag-story.html
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross congratulates Grace Reyes at the annual Ag Day event on the Capitol steps in Sacramento.
Grace Reyes, a Merced County student, was recognized March 21 by the California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom’s “Imagine this … Story Writing Contest.”
Reyes, her teacher and parents were recognized at a ceremony at the California State Capitol in the Governor’s Council Room. California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross, along with legislative members representing various districts throughout the state, attended the ceremony to recognize students for their academic achievements.
The state-winning author received a medal, a savings bond, a book, framed pictures and resources for her teacher from the foundation.
From more than 8,000 essays written by third-through-eighth- grade students in California, Reyes was selected for her creativity, writing skills and positive interpretation of California agriculture, the foundation said in a news release.
Her story, “Honeybee Worker Day,” depicts the life cycle of a honeybee and their role in pollination. She’s a fifth-grader from St. Anthony School in Atwater.
Hundreds of California teachers participate in this annual contest by assigning their students the task of researching an aspect of the agriculture industry.
The contest’s purpose is to promote reading, writing and the arts and to further the public’s understanding of agriculture.
Stories are posted online at www.LearnAboutAg.org/imaginethis. For more information, contact Stephanie Etcheverria, program coordinator, at (800) 700-AITC.