Mallory Irwinsky (click on photo for high resolution image)

Piedmont Student Wins First in Statewide Essay Contest

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

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

Two Honorable Mention awards of $250 each went to Felisha Yoder, a senior at Thomas High School, and 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 the winning essay, Mallory Irwinsky wrote: “Purchasing food in season from your local farmers market or co-op is such a small change, but it is one that can make a big difference in our economy and environment.”

“The value of locally grown foods goes beyond economic and health benefits; it’s also about preserving rich farming traditions and maintaining the pride of hard-working Oklahomans who want to continue providing beautiful, nutritious foods.”

“Future generations need memories of gathering Oklahoma pecans and helping their grandmother make a pie, taking a fall tractor ride out into an Oklahoma pumpkin patch, and seeing the big combines come through to harvest our waving wheat.”

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.

Read Essay