The Macon County Board of Education is pleased to announce the winners of this years essay contest.

All 3rd-8th grade students in the county participated, with 3 winners from each school and grade level advancing to the county-wide contest.

Representatives from the Macon County Retired Teachers Association then read the school winners and determined the overall winner from each grade level.

The county-wide winners are awarded a cash prize donated by various businesses and individuals around town.

The Macon County Board of Education would like to thank the following for their donations this year: Cathy's Flowers & Gifts, The Prescription Shop, Ken Witcher, Pee Wee Snax Sales, Green Bank, & Darrell Law. *Pictured in this weeks paper are the Red Boiling Springs winners. The remaining Macon County students will be in future papers along with essays from all the winners.

4th Grade- Writing Situation: Pretend that you are able to invite a famous person to spend one day with you and your family

Directions for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about the things that you admire about this person and why you would choose this famous person to spend a day with you and your family.

Now write a story about the day you spend with the famous person that you choose

If I could spend one whole day with a star I would choose Hannah Montana. One reason why I would choose Hannah Montana is because she seems like a very nice person, she doesn't seem stuck up or bratty like some other stars I know.

Also why I would choose Hannah Montana is that she has the best singing ability ever. I bet one reason why she has such a great singing ability is because of her daddy, Billy Ray Cyrus.

I heard that she's been taking singing lessons ever since she was three years old. That's a long time since she is fifteen now.

Another reason why I would choose Hannah Montana is because we could go shopping. I could just imagine us walking into a candle store and going straight to my favorite scent, warm vanilla sugar, aahhhh...

And after we finished looking at the candles, and buying some, we would go out to eat at my favorite restaurant in this whole wide world, O'Charley's. I would let Hannah order first and then I would realize she's getting the same thing that I am getting, the kikin ‘o' tenders. After that we would go get ice cream at Marble slab, “birthday cake in a cup with assorted sprinkles, we would say together.”

After we get done eating we would take a ride in her stretch limo and it would be her favorite color purple. When we were in the limo she would say to me, “Would you like to sing ‘Best of Both Worlds' with me on stage?” When she said that I nearly fainted. But I managed to say, “sure.” After the show I would have to leave Hannah, but I would say, “I had a great time today, I hope you did too.” Then she would say, “I had the most wonderful time that I have ever had with a fan.” We would hug and then take pictures, but then we would part.

So, in summary, I would choose no other star in this whole world than Hannah Montana to spend one day with.

7th Grade- Writing Situation: Think about one of the best days that you have spent at school.

Directions for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about an especially good day that you have spent at school and what made it so good to you.

Now explain in an essay why this day is one of the best days that you have ever spent at school. Be sure to give reasons for choosing this day.

By Avery Hall

Normally, school seems boring and no fun, but the day the China project was due was an exception. On that day, we didn't just get up in front of the class, but we also ate afterward.

We didn't just eat anything either, we ate authentic Chinese food.

Just about the whole day was fun, since the presentations of my class took just about all day to show. Because of that, there was no work all day, no homework, and the project was over. Not to mention it was a blast watching all the presentations, and even doing my own.

The food was delicious. Everything was just great, but the best part of all was each student made one dish, so all of the food was homemade at everyone's house.

We had all sorts of authentic Chinese food. We had everything from rice, to won-tons, to even some Chinese desserts. That had to be one of the best meals I have ever had.

Another great thing to add is that it was a Friday. Being a Friday, the last day of the week of school, and not doing any work, meant I didn't have any homework what so ever.

I was also to know that I didn't have to prepare for a project for a little while.

The last thing that made the day the best was that everyone's parents got to come and see the presentations and eat the food too. With them there it made me scared to do my presentation, but it was fun. I will not forget that.

Well, with all the fun things we did that day, it is definitely the best day of school I had ever had.

8th Grade- Writing Situation: Most people have a place that is special to them.

Directions for Writing: Before you begin to write, think about a place that is special to you and why. This place may be as big as a city or as small as a room.

Now explain in an essay why this one place is special to you. Be sure to give reasons for choosing this place.

By Jami Reece

Most people have a place that is special to them. Do you have a specific place that is dear to you? I sure do. A place that is very special to me is Gamaliel Baptist Church.

My church is so special to me because it is where the church congregation gathers. This group of people includes some of my best and closest friends. These friends understand me more than my non-Christian friends ever will. They are just like family to me. When we go to church, we get to hang out and learn to be better Christians.

This church is special to me because it gets me away from the rest of the world. So many immoral things are happening out there. The church gives me activities to participate in that are so much better than sitting on the couch watching what's going on in the world. Church takes me away from it all.

Gamaliel Baptist Church is dear to my heart because it's where I go to worship Jesus Christ and to honor God, By going to church, I'm doing God's will.

Gamaliel Baptist church is very special to me because I get to spend time with Christian friends, worship my Savior, and it takes me away from the immoral things happening in our world today. My church is special to me in my life. What place is special to you?