Cape students excel in Coast Day Essay Contest

Students in Rehoboth and Shields elementaries were recognized recently for award-winning stories showcasing their creativity and knowledge about Delaware’s aquatic animals.

Charles Bowman of Rehoboth Elementary won first place, Hazel Mancari of Shields won third place and Juliet Webster of Rehoboth Elementary won honorable mention in the 2021 Coast Day Essay Contest, announced by David Christopher of Delaware Sea Grant in an online ceremony Nov. 1.

Christopher said students entering the contest had to write a creative story using scientific information to depict the life of an aquatic animal native to Delaware. About 70 essays were received and judged in an anonymous format, Christopher said.

Director of Delaware Sea Grant Joanna York said students showed awareness that aquatic animals in Delaware face issues from events such as last year’s oil spill and flooding caused by super high tides in late October. 

Animals will have to adapt to changes caused by a warming climate, York said, and telling stories is an important way to engage with others.

“I was so impressed by your creativity,” York told students. “Your stories were wonderful.”

Charles Bowman, whose first-place story featured blue crabs living in Rehoboth Bay, received a $100 gift card. 

“I love writing about animals that live underwater and the daily changes that they face,” Charles said. “It was so much fun writing the essay.”

For her story about freshwater otters dealing with trash in the river, Hazel Mancari earned a $50 Barnes and Noble gift card.

“I didn’t want to write a boring story about the environment,” Hazel said. “I wanted kids to feel for the otter and think about it from his perspective. When we just throw stuff on the ground or in the water, we don’t think about the animals who are left dealing with our mess. Hopefully this will make people think more about cleaning up after themselves.” 

Juliet Webster’s story about sea otters earned her a 2021 Coast Day T-shirt. 

“I really loved writing about underwater animals, the challenges they face, and letting people know about their lives,” Juliet said. “I forgot that it was a contest! I just wrote my essay because I enjoyed writing about my favorite underwater animal.”

Winning students’ teachers all received Staples gift cards for classroom supplies.