SUSANVILLE, CA, December 21, 2023 — Congratulations to the winners of the Lassen National Forest Archaeology Student Essay Contest! In October we announced an essay contest for third grade students in Lassen, Shasta, Tehama, Butte, Plumas, Siskiyou, and Modoc counties in celebration of Archaeology Month.
To participate in this contest, students submitted an essay on a place that is at least 50 years old that means something to them, why they like it, how old it is, and why it should be preserved.
Our First-Place winner is Ellie Sprague from Cottonwood, CA. Ellie took us for a journey through their favorite spot for family fun and all their favorite outdoor activities in their essay about Whiskeytown Lake in Shasta County.
Runner-Up goes to Ethan Martens from Chester, CA. Ethan explored Subway Cave, and even included helpful safety tips for your trip.
A special Honorable Mention goes to Taylor Turner from Chester, CA for their fun fact look, and family’s historical connection, to their favorite place, the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, CA.
Thank you to the Shasta Historical Society for their generous donation for our first-place winner. Our First-Place winner received a One Year Family Pass to Turtle Bay Exploration Park in Redding. Our Runner-Up received a copy of “Can you Dig it” by Amanda Baker.
“This was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed the creativity expressed in the essay submissions we received and look forward to more opportunities to engage with young people in our communities” said Jennifer Norton, acting Forest Archaeologist on the Lassen National Forest. “Thank you for sharing your favorite places with us and why they are so special to you, and thank you to your families, friends, and educators who supported you. I can’t wait to see what third graders in our communities come up with next year.” said Forest Supervisor, Deb Bumpus.
For more information about the Lassen National Forest follow us on Facebook @LassenNationalForest or X (formally known as Twitter) @LassenNF. Read the winning essays at https://bit.ly/47eGoxI.
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