Thomas Student Wins Honorable Mention in Statewide Essay Contest

Felisha Yoder, a senior at Thomas High School, won one of two $250 Honorable Mention prizes in the Kerr Center's annual essay contest for Oklahoma high school juniors and seniors.

The subject of the 2008 contest was “The Value of Locally Grown Foods.”

Piedmont High School junior Mallory Irwinsky won the first place prize of $750.

Jake McClure, a junior at Lawton High School, took the $500 2nd place prize.

The second Honorable Mention award went to Jake Boren, a junior at Waurika High School.

Students expressed an appreciation of the potential health, environmental, and economic benefits of locally grown foods.

In her prizewinning essay, Felisha Yoder wrote: “Family farms have been the foundation and prospering peak of our state and across our nation. They are the heart of our rural communities.”

“Since 1935, according to the USDA, the U.S. has lost over five million farms.”

“If we allow our foundation to drift away, we will see the walls we have built begin to slowly crumble.”

The Kerr Center received over 200 entries from around the state, from schools large and small, urban and rural, said Anita Poole, contest coordinator.

A panel of independent judges chose the winners.

“The essays were excellent and covered the major aspects of the value of locally grown food,” said judge Chris Kirby.  “Good work to all those that entered the contest!”

This year’s theme was chosen because of the rapidly growing interest in locally grown foods in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma is making great strides in expanding local food sources, with such programs as Farm to School, farmers’ markets, Tulsa’s “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” campaign, and the Oklahoma Food Cooperative.

Proponents say a more local food supply can relieve hunger, stimulate economies, improve nutrition, reduce obesity and revitalize communities.

“I hope that the essayists will continue their study and debate about local foods to ensure a more sustainable future,” said Poole.

The annual Kerr Center essay contest, open to high school juniors and seniors, is designed to include young people in a thoughtful discussion of contemporary food and agricultural issues.

Winners receive cash awards.  Contest information is sent out each January to all high schools in the state.

Past themes have included the potential for farm-to-school programs, and sustainable
agriculture issues. Winning essays from past contests can also be read online.

The 2008 winning essays, along with a wealth of resources on local foods, are available at www.kerrcenter.com.

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