The three winners in the 2018 Rice County Fair Senior Essay Contest were revealed during Senior Day at the Fair in Faribault today.  I don't know how the judges were able to choose between the three because the stories were marvelous and writing especially good.  The writers were asked to put pen to paper and describe, "A Memory Of My Youth."

Those 62 years of age and older were eligible and the top three were all from ladies.  I'm not sure if any men submitted an essay.  Judging criteria included quality of communication, creativity and neatness of entry.  Rice County Fair Board President Kathy Cap presented a booklet including the essays to Rice County Historical Society President Susan Garwood.  Compact Disc recordings I made of the essays were also provided to the winners and by request to some Faribault nursing homes courtesy of KDHL Radio.

The winning essay was submitted by Evelyn Horwath of Faribault and was entitled, "A Close Call."  The story of an eventful trip aboard a hay rake in the summer of 1941.  Horwath describes the harrowing experience in such vivid detail you can close your eyes and see it happening.

Rice County Fair Essay Contest Winner Evelyn Horwath in middle. Photo by Troy Temple
Rice County Fair Essay Contest Winner Evelyn Horwath in middle. Photo by Troy Temple
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Second place was awarded to Evon Anderson of Waterville for her essay entitled, "Shoes."  Her recollections of the purchase of some Kickerinos were described with great detail too.

In the winter of 1957 the then 15 year old pleaded with her mother to purchase the fashionable boots described as, "above the ankle, pull-on leather boots lined with soft, cushy fleece with a furry cuff on top."

Rice County Fair Senior Essay 2nd Place Evon Anderson of Waterville- photo by Troy Temple
Rice County Fair Senior Essay 2nd Place Evon Anderson of Waterville- photo by Troy Temple
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Shirley Galvin of Faribault took third place in the Senior Memory Essay Contest with her story entitled, "The Rice County Fair."  Galvin's descriptions are also impressive of showing at the fair in 1967 and 1968.

She calls the Rice County Fair, "the highlight of the summer!"  Galvin talks about showing pigs at the fair and was very proud of a dress she made in 1968 that received a purple ribbon and trip to the State Fair.

 

Rice County Senior Essay Contest 3rd Place far left Shirley Galvin. Photo by Troy Temple
Rice County Senior Essay Contest 3rd Place far left Shirley Galvin. Photo by Troy Temple
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It would be great to get some men involved in this project too, regardless of your gender please consider sharing a memory of your youth and participating next year.

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