Stephanie Bonham from Snowflake Junior High School receives a congratulatory handshake from Ken Bennett for her recognition in the Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest during the 2010 Statehood Day celebration held at the Capitol on February 11, 2010.

Arizonans gathered to celebrate the state's 98th anniversary in the restored senate chamber of the Arizona Capitol Museum. The Statehood Day ceremony was emceed by Secretary of State Ken Bennett. The annual Polly Award was presented to Jim Drake who has supported libraries, museums, archives, and the preservation of Arizona's rich cultural history.

Secretary Bennett announced the winners of this year's Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest. The contest, sponsored by Arizona Public Service, is administered by the Arizona Educational Foundation and open to students statewide in grades 7-12. This year's topic: “Count me in: Why the Census matters.” Eleven honorees were selected out of 133 entries.

Students pictured (front row, left to right) Brooke Sykes, Chaparral High School; Carolyn Malone, Dobson High School; Ashlyn Leming, Norterra Canyon Middle School; Ashley Benavidez, Alhambra High School; Bijan Anjavi, Desert Canyon Middle School; Stephanie Bonham, Snowflake Jr. High School; Kathryn Harper, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School; Taylor Ramirez, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School. (Back Row, left to right) Joe Pichardo, Alhambra High School; Eugenia Fowlkes, Alhambra High School; Benjamin Lee, Chaparral High School.

7th and 8th Grade Category
Stephanie Bonham, Snowflake Jr. High School (Honorable Mention)

 

Kathryn Harper, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School (Honorable Mention)

 

Bijan Anjavi, Desert Canyon Middle School (3rd Place)

 

Taylor Ramirez, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School (2nd Place)

 

Ashlyn Leming, Norterra Canyon Middle School (1st Place)

 

9th and 10th Grade Category
Carolyn Malone, Dobson High School (3rd Place)

 

Benjamin Lee, Chaparral High School (2nd Place)

 

Brooke Sykes, Chaparral High School (1st Place)

 

11th and 12th Grade Category
Eugenia Fowlkes, Alhambra High School (3rd Place)

 

Ashley Benavidez, Alhambra High School (2nd Place)

 

Joe Pichardo, Alhambra High School (1st Place)

View a video of this event online.

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