Yumion Writing Contest Has Over 450 Entries

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The annual Yumion Writing Contest was one of the most competitive contests in years, as 450 local students turned in their creative tales of the Vidalia Onion Mascot Yumion for the chance at winning the contest for their grade levels. Yet, only five students were selected and will take home bragging rights and a small monetary prize.

This contest allows kindergarten through 8th grade students the chance to let their creativity shine and showcase the area’s famous crop and mascot. Kindergarten participants are tasked with drawing a picture to tell their Yumion story, while 1st and 2nd grade students have the option of drawing a picture or writing a 50-100-word story. Students from 3rd grade until 8th grade must write their Yumion tale, with the following word limits: Grades 3-4 – 200-350 words; Grades 5-6 – 350500 words; and Grades 7-8 – 450-650 words.

Each entry must feature the city of Vidalia, Yumion, and/or the Vidalia Onion, and may be poems or stories. These entries should be creative and not merely the story of how the onions became famous.

In the Kindergarten category, Lyons Primary Student Olin Fischer Nelms took home the top honor, while J.D. Dickerson Student Nora Downie took second place, Robert Toombs Christian Academy Student Adalind Mosley came in third place and Toombs Central Elementary School Student Carter Zorn received honorable mention.

In the First and Second Grade Competition, Sally D. Meadows Elementary School Student Aria Garcia took home the gold, while fellow Sally D. Meadows Elementary School Students Harper Bowen and Symphony Mocorro followed in second and third place. North Tattnall Elementary School Student Alexander Caraway received honorable mention.

Vidalia Heritage Academy Student Saylor Ledford won first place in the Third and Fourth Grade Competition, as Lyons Upper Elementary School Student Aiden Jones took home second place, and North Tattnall Elementary School Student Skyler Bright was named third place. North Tattnall Elementary School Student Javier Hernandez Lugo received honorable mention.

In the Fifth and Sixth Grade category, Toombs Central Elementary School Student Palmer Arnold took home the top honor, while Robert Toombs Christian Academy Students Sophia Pye and Mariyah Evans followed in second and third place. Toombs Central Elementary School Student Emilee Ascencio received honorable mention.

Only one placement was given in the Seventh and Eighth Grade level of competition, as J.R. Trippe Middle Schooler Harley Adams took home first place.

Winners received varying prize money based on their placement – 1st Place — $25, 2nd Place– $20, 3rd Place — $15, and Honorable Mention — $10.

The winners’ works are featured in this week’s edition of The Advance.

Volunteers for Saturday’s Keep It Clean Vidalia pickup day removed 13 bags of litter and 3 tires from Pete Phillips Road, Airport Road, Harris Industrial, McNatt Road, MoseColemanRoadandMapleDrive. JourneyJernigan, a 6 year old first grade student at JD Dickerson pitched in and did her part to help keep Vidalia clean.

YUMION 1ST PLACE,_3RD-4TH GRADE DIVISION — Saylor Ledford, Vidalia Heritage Academy.

YUMION 1ST PLACE,_5TH-6TH GRADE DIVISION — Palmer Arnold, Toombs County Elementary School.