Jake O’Donnell, a ninth-grade student at Tahoma Junior High, won the 2009 Association of Washington Generals’ essay contest.
The essay contest theme for this year was the 100th anniversary of the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific exposition and how important was this relationship to the history of the state of Washington?
Presenting the award to Jake was Chuck Hardaway and Maple Valley Deputy Mayor Victoria Laise Jonas, both members of the association.
Hardaway noted a Tahoma Junior High student had won the award for the past five years.
Jake was presented with a plaque commemorating his achievement and a check for $500, which he said he was going to save for college.
Tahoma Junior High social studies teacher Cary Collins was also presented with an award and Rhonda Ham, assistant principal, accepted a certificate commemorating the school’s contribution.
