Sara Rood, a junior at Granite Falls High School won the third prize in the high school division for her essay in the 2010 Living Evergreen essay contast ant Evergreen State Fair. Rood is the fourth from the left.

Sara Rood, a junior at Granite Falls High School won the third prize in the high school division for her essay in the 2010 Living Evergreen essay contest.

 Rood was honored on the opening day of the Evergreen State Fair in Monroe on August 26.

A total of six students from the Puget Sound region were recognized for their winning essays in the “Living Evergreen” essay contest, co-sponsored by Snohomish County and Allied Waste.

Divided into two categories – middle school students and high school students – contestants were asked to discourse on the growing need to be environmentally friendly. Some contestants focused on the changes they and their families had made, while others looked at solutions for a changing world, including business impacts on the environment.

First-place winners received a $200 U.S. treasury bond and an opportunity to read their essays before Snohomish County’s elected leadership. Second-place winners received $100 bonds, while third-place winners received $50. An additional honorable mention has been made.

“The judges were impressed at the caliber of entries, considering that a summer essay contest meant no prodding by teachers to enter,” said Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon, who also judged entries. “The winning entries were heartfelt, sincere and demonstrated students’ individual concerns and appreciation for sustainable practices.”