Jesse White Awards Bicycle Essay Contest Winners
May National Bicycle Safety Month
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White awarded the winners of a bicycle essay contest in recognition of National Bicycle Safety Month. The statewide contest was open to all 4th and 5th grade students and was designed to promote awareness of safe bicycling habits for both children and parents.
"It is important that all children understand the importance of wearing a helmet and have knowledge of safety rules regarding bicycles and pedestrians," White stated. "This contest gives children the opportunity to have fun while learning how to bike safely."
Contestants were asked to write an essay that described their best bicycling experience in 100 words or less. The essay had to include at least one bicycle safety element such as wearing a helmet, signaling, observing stop signs, red lights and other traffic laws was included as well. Essays were judged on creativity, grammar, and originality.
The contest winners include:
- 4th Grade Winner
Nicholas Burke from Gower West Elementary School in Willowbrook
- 4th Grade 2nd Place
Alannah Ray from Fairview Elementary School in Normal
- 4th Grade 3rd Place
Taylor Hasselbring from Cissna Park Elementary School in Cissna Park
- 5th Grade Winner
Cody Brownfield from St. Paul Lutheran School in Kankakee
- 5th Grade 2nd Place
Allie Faivre from Saint Patrick School in Washington
- 5th Grade 3rd Place
Grant Miller from Windsor School in Arlington Heights
TREK Bicycle Corporation and the League of Illinois Bicyclists sponsored the contest. Each first place winner was awarded a TREK 820 Mountain bike and helmet. Second and third place winners received a TREK helmet, and all winners received a certificate of achievement from Secretary of State Jesse White.
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