The Westport River Watershed Alliance has awarded four Westport students in its annual essay contest. Students were asked to write about the things in the Westport River that they were excited to learn about, and those who submitted exemplary essays were given a free week to attend WRWA’s summer science programs. This program is sponsored by donations to the Gay Gillespie Summer Scholarship Fund.

Winners include first graders Rylan Farias, Thomas Walker, second graders Zachary Bernier, Makallyn Costa and Autumn Bouchard, third graders Malia Martinez and Leo Delgado, and fourth graders Evelise Goncalves, Callie Duclos and Lily Cipollini.

Following is an excerpt from one of the second graders' winning essays:

"I would like to learn about all sorts of creatures! I've been very interested in conservation. I'm trying to use less plastic and use better things for the environment. I would like to learn ways I can help animals and nature. I hope that I will learn a lot, make new friends, and I think it will be a blast!"