Area elementary students honored for truancy posters

The Allegan Area Education Service Agency board of education recently announced the winners of its 2008 “Keep Kids in School” poster contest,

Shayna Gomber, a fourth-grader at Dawson Elementary School in Allegan won first place. She received a certificate from AAESA board president Phyllis Drozd and a $500 U.S. Savings Bond.

Her poster will also be printed and posted around the county to remind kids to “Be Kool…Stay in School” thanks to financial support from Meijer Corp. and the AAESA.

Lauren Hunt and Melissa Guritz from Brandon Elementary School in Martin, Kymberli Nichols from Dawson Elementary School in Allegan and Morgan Zuydwegt from Dix Street Elementary School in Otsego will receive $200 U.S. savings bonds for being named first- through fourth-runners-up respectively.

Honorable mention winners, including Schyler Bennett, Amber Rae Austin, Kaylee Erikson and Ashley Lane from Dix Street Elementary School; Sierra Campbell and Gracie Loonstoot from Baker Elementary School in Wayland; Kathy Shoemaker from Brandon Elementary School and Alishakay Smith from Dawson Elementary School, will each receive a $50 U.S. savings bond.

The countywide contest’s goal is to educate children and local communities on the importance of keeping kids in school by demonstrating that missing school is not an option, truancy is a community problem and staying in school is the best thing for students and the community.

For more information, call Allegan County truancy officer, Greg Sieracki (269) 673-2161.