The winning essays on "Celebrating a Century: American's National Parks" earned certificates for the young writers. The essays will now be submitted to the statewide contest in Connecticut.
The assignment called on students to pretend they were visiting one of the National Parks in the U.S. and describe its location and features.
The essays included what the children think makes the park a national treasure among the 59 protected areas operated by the National Park Service for the Department of the Interior.
The first place essay by Connor McNamara tells of the unparalleled beauty and unique geographical features of Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.
It mentions the rare state bird of Hawaii, the Nene, a Hawaiian goose that walks on the cooled lava.
And Connor pretended he was in the Thurston Lava Tube, the rainforest, Mauna Loa, and the Chain of Craters Road in his essay.
The winners received their certificates at a reception hosted by Darien’s Good Wife’s River Chapter DAR for families, administrators, and teachers.
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