Moses Lake essay winners receive awards

MOSES LAKE — One wants to be a makeup artist. Another, an astrophysicist.

Eight Moses Lake students were recognized at a Moses Lake School District board meeting Thursday for their winning entries in an annual essay contest for students in fourth through eighth grade. Winners were chosen from approximately 630 entries judged by members of the community.

At the board meeting, students were given an opportunity to read their essays.

Kariann Green, a fifth grade student at Garden Heights Elementary School, won first place for the fourth and fifth grade division.

Green's essay is about her dream of becoming a makeup artist for the stars. After she completes her high school diploma, Green plans to train in cosmetology and open her own salon in a large city.

"The colors of my salon would be lime green and with accents of hot pink," she said.

The name of the salon would be, "The Whole Shebang," for its diverse offerings including hair color and waxing. She hopes to advance to special effects and stage makeup.

"I believe I can make a million dollar celebrity look what they're worth," she said.

Runner-up Conner Uhlinger, a fifth grade student at Garden Heights Elementary School, read an essay on his plans to become an artist.

"Art lets me express my feelings in a way that's completely me," Uhlinger said.

Lakeview Elementary School fourth grade student Breanna Sauvage was another runner-up in her division.

Chief Moses Middle School seventh grade student Benjamine Shoemake and Frontier Middle School eighth grade student Daniel Noteboom tied for first place in the sixth through eighth grade division.

Shoemake spoke about his goal of becoming an astrophysicist.

To him, the subject is fun and important.

"To you, astrophysics is probably as fun as catching a cold," he said.

Noteboom spoke about his intention of becoming an actuary.

He said he would love to become a casualty actuary, where he would figure out such details as how much to charge for car insurance or home insurance.

"Being an actuary is the right career for me," he said.

Noteboom said the career uses plenty of mathematics, a subject he is talented in.

The runner-up for the sixth through eighth grade division is Sammi Price, an eighth grade student at Frontier Middle School.

Winners received savings bonds from several banks.

A creativity award was handed out for each division, along with prizes related to the winners' essay topic. Garden Heights Elementary School fifth grade student Kaitlyn Stevens received a blender and a gift certificate for Baskin-Robbins. Frontier Middle School eighth grade student Nevin Walsh received a Hastings gift card.