APS and Arizona Educational Foundation Announce Winners of the Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest

PHOENIX - February 23, 2010 - Winners of the 2010 Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest were announced during a luncheon at the State Capitol on Feb. 11. The nine winning students were recognized during a Statehood Day Ceremony inside the historic Senate Chamber.

The topic of this year's competition was: "Count Me In: Why the Census Matters." The winners are:

7th & 8th Grade Category:
1st Place: Ashlyn Leming, Norterra Canyon School, Phoenix
2nd Place: Taylor Ramirez, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School, Queen Creek
3rd Place: Bijan Anjavi, Desert Canyon Middle School, Scottsdale
Honorable Mention: Kathryn Harper, Circle Cross Ranch K-8 School, Queen Creek
Honorable Mention: Stephanie Bonham, Snowflake Jr. High School, Snowflake

9th & 10th Grade Category:
1st Place: Brooke Sykes, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale
2nd Place: Benjamin Lee, Chaparral High School, Scottsdale
3rd Place: Carolyn Malone, Dobson High School, Mesa

11th & 12th Grade Category:
1st Place: Joe Pichardo, Alhambra High School, Phoenix
2nd Place: Ashley Benavidez, Alhambra High School, Phoenix
3rd Place: Eugenia Fowlkes, Alhambra High School, Phoenix

Former schoolteacher and state legislator Polly Rosenbaum, a strong advocate for education, started the Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest. The Arizona Educational Foundation and APS sponsor the contest featuring students from across Arizona submitting their creative writing entries for consideration by a selection committee comprised of business leaders, educators and parents.

"Because of our respect and admiration for Mrs. Rosenbaum, we couldn't think of a better way to say thank you to her than by sponsoring this writing contest in her name, said Louise Moskowitz, Senior Community Development Consultant for APS. "Like Mrs. Rosenbaum, we at APS also believe in education and supporting our students. Although only nine students will be recognized at the Statehood Celebration, in our eyes, every student who submitted an entry is a winner. They've taken the initiative to enter the Contest and demonstrated good writing skills; two very important requisites to a successful career in any field they choose."

First place winners receive a $50 gift certificate to the Capitol Museum Store, a certificate signed by Governor Jan Brewer and a pen. Second place winners receive a $25 certificate to the Capitol Museum Store, a certificate signed by Governor Jan Brewer, and a pen; third place winners receive a $15 certificate to the Capitol Museum Store, a certificate signed by Governor Jan Brewer, and a pen.

About Arizona Educational Foundation (AEF)
Founded in 1983, the Arizona Educational Foundation's mission is to foster excellence in education by funding programs that enhance the capabilities of Arizona's public schools. AEF's results-driven approach brings leaders in education and business together in a joint partnership that promotes and celebrates exceptional students, teachers, schools and administrators. Its specialized approach recognizes excellence in education while also providing a framework for the continued success of Arizona schools including: strengthening the teaching profession, designing high quality curricula, stimulating student achievement and celebrating the successes in preschool through 12th grade. AEF's programs include: Arizona Teacher of the Year, A+ Schools of Excellence, Arizona Spelling Bee, Polly Rosenbaum Writing Contest and Principals' Leadership Academy of Arizona. For more information, please visit www.azedfoundation.org or call (480) 421-9376.