VMIHA Celebrates Annual History Contest Winners

The winners of this year’s Vashon-Maury Island Heritage Association’s History Project Contest were celebrated at a party at the Heritage Museum last Friday evening in the same way that their championship endeavors celebrated the Island’s history.

First place and $100 went to Xan London-Chambers, son of Angela London and Lisa Chambers, for his essay, “The History of My Farm.”  He interviewed several people who have lived on the property and said the hardest part was finding the Larsons, the original owners.  Xan attends Chautauqua Elementary where he is in Geri Wilson’s multi-age class.

An essay on “Vashon’s Pioneers” earned Lila Cohen second place and $75.  Lila also created a model of a pioneer house out of cardboard and Popsicle sticks which she declared was the most enjoyable part of the project.  Lila is the daughter of Dr. Jeff Cohen and Dr. Kristen Cohen.  She is in fourth grade in Karen Barich’s class at Chautauqua Elementary.
Caleb Cullimore garnered third place and $50 with his essay, “The Mosquito Fleet.”  A fifth-grader in Kay Burrell’s class at Chautauqua Elementary, Caleb, who really likes boats and old engines, says “there are some really cool engines in the Mosquito Fleet.”  He is the son of Bart and Rebecca Cullimore.

This year two students received Honorable Mention prizes of $25.  Alex Burgess created a display board illustrating “The Vashon Highway through Time.”  Alex is home-schooled and also earned a merit badge in Boys Scouts for his entry.  His parents are Jonathan and Vanessa Burgess.

Lila Cohen, who lives in West Seattle but attends 5th grade at Harbor School, demonstrated her love of Vashon and celebrated the individuality and acceptance she finds here with her poem, “Vashon Island.”  Lila’s parents are Melissa Aaron and James Winnard.

All winners also received Museum memberships and a certificate.
Sponsors for the contest were Vashon Bookshop, Kellum and Montoya Building, OCCU, and 4Culture.