by Geoff Fox
Last year, Chloe Howe was in the fourth grade at Hancock Elementary and entered an essay contest for the Canal Voices contest, which was sponsored by the C&O National Historic Park.
Howe was recently named the winner of a $300 scholarship to be used at her school.
Hancock Elementary Principal Jennifer Scarberry Price said they selected a variety of books and resources for the fourth grade and allowed Howe to choose the books. Howe selected B is for Blue Crab, which is an illustrated book alphabet book that associates letters with points of interest in Maryland, and A True Book: My United States Maryland.
Each book, on the inside front cover, has a sticker that reads “This book was generously donated to 4th grade by Chloe Howe, 2022.”
Howe and Scarberry Price presented the books to Gavin Myers’ fourth grade class on Thursday, May 26.
After the presentation, the class was able to ask a couple questions of Howe.
In her essay, Howe wrote about the history of the C&O Canal and its importance to Maryland. She also made a video in which she dressed up in period clothing.
Howe was encouraged to enter the essay by retired fourth grade teacher Teresa Hess.
Howe said she was “really excited” when she found out she had won the top prize in the Canal’s essay contest.
