And The Winner Is?

The year 2012 marks the 50^th anniversary of the publication of Rachel Carson’s revolutionary work, Silent Spring. In celebration of this momentous occasion, the Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve (Wells Reserve at Laudholm) and Rachel Carson National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) are partnering to offer a statewide environmental essay contest for seventh grade students in Maine.

Seventh grade student essay contest applicants, please choose one of these three quotes from Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring and explain what it means to you:

• Quote 1: “By acquiescing in an act that can cause such suffering to a living creature, who among us is not diminished as a human being?”
• Quote 2: “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”
• Quote 3: “In nature, nothing exists alone.”

Requirements: Times New Roman 12 pt font, 400-600 words, double-spaced, with name and page number on each page. On the title page, please include your name, address, phone number, email, school name, and school phone number, in addition to your essay title. Please specify which quote you are responding to. Wells Reserve at Laudholm and Rachel Carson NWR reserve the right to publicize submissions on their websites and other outreach materials.

Scoring: Essays will be judged by the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Education Advisory Committee, using a point scale based on the following criteria: creativity, heart, style, punctuation/spelling, and clarity. Remember, your essay must consist of your own thoughts and words.
Prizes:

• Grand prize: iPad
• First place: Digital camera
• Second place: Binoculars
• Third place: Gift certificate to a local bookstore

All winning students will also receive a hard cover copy of Silent Spring. Prizes will be presented to the winners at their schools by the Wells Reserve at Laudholm and Rachel Carson NWR education staff members.
Deadline: December 1, 2012. Winners will be notified by December 14, 2012.


Pictured are Nick Prato, the Grand Prize winner, along with Mrs. Newick, his 7th grade Social Studies teacher. Nick chose Quote 3 for his essay. Congratulations Nick!