Heritage Museum announces winners of annual island history contest

Seven fourth and fifth graders won prizes in the Heritage Museum’s annual history project contest and received them at a winner’s celebration at the museum last Friday evening.

First place went to Emma Meade for her “Mileta Farm History Project.” The farm adjoins Emma’s family home, and she enjoys visiting the sheep and goats as well as taking pictures of them.

Ava Protzeller and Enzo Bork tied for second place. Ava’s project was on the history of The Hardware Store, her favorite place to eat. Enzo wrote about “My House’s History,” his house being the oldest thing he knows. (It is 100 years old.)

Third place went to Finley Graham for his essay, “The Frank Steen Island History,” which he wrote after interviewing Frank’s daughter Kaye Steen.

Three students earned honorable mentions. Aiden Erlandson wrote about “The Maury Island Incident” because he lives on Maury Island and has heard people talking about the flying saucers spotted in 1947. Rowan Marceau-Roache used his art and writing skills for “Strawberries” about strawberry farming on Vashon. River Williams drew a cartoon and wrote about Springer, the orca whale famous for adopting a ferry for its mother and being successfully returned to its family.

Above, the winners gathered. They are, left to right, Emma Meade, Ava Protzeller, Rowan Marceau-Roache, Aiden Erlandson and River Williams. Kneeling are Enzo Bork and Finley Graham.