The young winners of the library's "I Love My Library Drawing and Essay Contest," were recognized during the Sierra Madre City Council's Feb. 26 meeting.
Library Trustee Pete Siberell read the names of the 17 winners and Mayor Josh Moran presented each honoree with a certificate from the city. The winners included:
Kindergarten:
- First Place Emerson Carrillo Vincent, Mayfield Junior School
- Second Place Kodiak Ellis, Sierra Madre Community Nursery School
First Grade:
- First Place Shane Vandevelde, Sierra Madre School
- Second Place Betsy Cole, Sierra Madre School
Second Grade:
- First Place Mila Burns, Sierra Madre School
- Second Place Sofia Mathews, Sierra Madre School
Third Grade:
- First Place Gracie Andres, Sierra Madre School
- Second Place Michael Sasa Butman, Sierra Madre School
Fourth Grade:
- First Place Claire Senft, Highland Oaks School
- Second Place Sarah Muqri, Sierra Madre School
Fifth Grade:
- First Place Teresa Fundter, St. Rita School
- Second Place Emma Dillion, St. Rita School
Sixth Grade:
- First Place Lauren Anastasia, The Gooden School
- Second Place Russell Moore, The Gooden School
Seventh Grade:
- First Place Tiana Lopez, The Gooden School
- Second Place Tim O’Neill, St. Rita School
Eighth Grade:
- Noelle Martinez, The Gooden School
There were 188 local students who entered the drawing and essay contest in January, according to the city. Those in grades K – 2 created drawings showing why they love the Library and those in grades 3-8 wrote an essay telling why they love the Library. Judges awarded cash prizes donated by local civic organizations including, Sierra Madre Civic Club, Sierra Madre Community Foundation, Sierra Madre Kiwanis, Sierra Madre Rotary and Friends of the Library.
Contest winners were announced on Valentine’s Day during a celebration in the Children’s Room of the Library. At that event, they received Valentine-themed certificates and cash prizes, and the first place winners shared their drawings or read their essays.
First Place kindergarten winner Emerson Carrillo-Vincent who drew an exuberant and colorful picture of the library, said he loves the facility because he lives across the street. Essay writers talked about the library being a quiet place with shelves holding the gateways to adventure. All the essay writers talked about how important the library is to them and how they love to visit often.
The drawings and essays of the first and second place winners will be displayed at the Library during the first week of March.
