Margaret Thompson Annual Essay Contest

Children from grades three through six are invited to participate in this annual contest through their schools. Essays are written covering a specific theme. Each year hundreds of essays are judged by community members. Prizes are awarded by the City Council at an ice-cream social in the garden of the Los Altos History Museum.

Winners at each grade level receive $50 for first place, $25 for second place and $10 for third place. All entrants receive a certificate of participation.

For information on entering the contest, please contact your elementary school. Home-schooled children may contact Los Altos School District. To volunteer for judging or preparation of awards please contact Dr. Gillian Humphries.

Click here to read this year's winning essays posted on Los Altos Online.

2003 First-place Winners

Third grade
Sean Gospe
Almond School

Fourth grade
Alyssa Jacobson
Oak School

Fifth grade
Tierney Lang
Springer School

Sixth grade
Holly Yort
Santa Rita School

2002 First-place Winners

Third grade
Kelly Moulds
Santa Rita School

Fourth grade
Laura Eagleston
Loyola School

Fifth grade
Lana DeWitt
Loyola School

Sixth grade
Lisa Kellman
Bullis-Purissima

2001 First-place Winners

Third Grade
Sarah Heidmann
Oak School

Fourth Grade
Meredith Dozier
Springer School

Fifth Grade
Sarah Vorhaus
Santa Rita School

Sixth Grade
Stephen Kwong
Bullis School

2000 First-place winners

Third Grade
Jessica Panec
Springer School

Fourth Grade
Adrianna Monaco
Loyola School

Fifth Grade
Sarah Bettman
Oak School

Sixth Grade
Claire Abu-Hakima
Springer School

1999 First-place Winners

Third Grade
Michelle Dentinger
Loyola School

Fourth Grade
Yousef Saadeh
Bullis-Purissima

Fifth Grade
Ryan Patrick Pei
Loyola School

Sixth Grade
Daniel Gracia
St. Simon