News Releases for December 2003
December 30, 2003
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Governor And First Lady Name Matthew Naum Winner Of Family Day Essay Contest
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven and First Lady Mikey Hoeven today named Matthew Naum the winner of the “Family Day - A Day To Eat Dinner With Your Family” essay contest at an awards ceremony in Memorial Hall of the State Capitol. Naum is a fourth grader from Little Flower Elementary School in Minot. As winner of the contest, Naum and his family are invited to the Governor’s Residence to have dinner with the First Family.
The Governor and First Lady selected Naum from 10 finalists who were also recognized at today’s ceremony. The finalists were chosen from more than 1,000 entries submitted by elementary students from across the state as part of a contest sponsored by the Governor and First Lady to reinforce the importance of family time and encourage children and their families to routinely eat meals together.
“This contest is so important because it highlights the talents of our elementary students statewide, while promoting the importance of families and spending quality time together,” Hoeven said. “These finalists are being recognized not only for their creative talents, but also for their understanding of family values.”
In addition to Naum, the following finalists were recognized, along with their families, teachers and principals:
- Kjersti Evenson, Grade 5, Wilkinson Elementary School - Williston, ND
- Freedom Mann-Cross, Grade 5, Edwin Loe Elementary School - New Town, ND
- Micah Munson, Grade 6, Roosevelt Elementary School - Bismarck, ND
- Zachary Norstedt, Grade 5, Powers Lake Elementary School - Powers Lake, ND
- Tiffany Smaage, Grade 6, Dakota Prairie Elementary School - McVille, ND
- Whitney Sponsler, Thompson Public School - Thompson, ND
- Danielle Stein, Grade 3, Northridge Elementary School - Bismarck, ND
- Amanda Wacha, Grade 5, Central Elementary School - Wahpeton, ND
- Allison Ward, Grade 5, Kindred Public School - Kindred, ND
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