Student wins essay contest

The district winners were recently announced for the youth essay contest sponsored by Sen. Richard Lugar, Indiana Farm Bureau Inc., and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance. "Farmers Looking at a Bright Future" was the theme for the contest.

The winner in District 4 was Collin Saxman. He is an eighth grade student at East Jay Middle School and his parents are Misty and Bill Saxman, Portland. He received a $50 Savings Bond.

Saxman will compete in the state contest to be held in Indianapolis in March.

Speech winners

Winners were announced for the Optimist Oratorical Speech Contest at Judge Haynes Elementary.

The winners were Zach Chaney and Audrey Shreve and the alternate was Gracie Runkle.

Spelling winners

The spelling contest winner at Judge Haynes Elementary was Audrey Shreve and the runner-up was Madison Brown.

Art exhibit

The 2010 Regional Student Art Exhibit "A Place to Begin" will begin March 4 at Arts Place in Portland.

Dean's list

Alyssa Johnson, a Jay County High School graduate, made the fall 2009 dean's list at Taylor University in Upland.

She is a senior majoring in elementary education. Her parents are Doug and Carolyn Johnson, Portland.[[In-content Ad]]