Helena Allencastre says her home means a lot to her, while Christopher Heintz says his home is special because of his family.

Those thoughts included in essays "What My Home Means to Me," earned the two third-graders the top prize in the annual Sequim Association of Realtors American Home Week contest.

The contest was open to all third-graders at Helen Haller and Greywolf elementary schools in Sequim, with prizes awarded to all who participated.

Allencastre, a student at Helen Haller, and Heintz, who attends Greywolf, were the two grand-prize winners, each receiving a $100 savings bond and a bicycle from the Sequim Association of Realtors.

First-place winners were Ayden Dickerson, Dillon Liebert and Dusty Wessel from Helen Haller and Drew Golden and Jack Drennan from Greywolf. Each received a $100 savings bond and a scooter.

Students were creative with their essays and posters, most depicting the importance of family at home.

Liebert wrote, "Our house is part of my family's heart," while Drennan said his favorite part of his home is the backyard. "When a winter storm rolls in, my house is there, warm and cozy. That's where my family is."

"Best Teacher in School" awards went to Pat Neal-Quinet, third-grade teacher at Greywolf, and to Cindy Moore and Claire Hallinan, third-grade teachers at Helen Haller.

First Federal, Clallam Title, Washington Federal Savings & Loan, Land Title, Home Realty, Olympic Peninsula Title, John L. Scott and Re/Max Fifth Avenue contributed to the American Home Week contest.



Helen Haller Elementary School

Grand prize, Helena Allencastre; first place: Ayden Dickerson, Dillon Liebert, Dusty Wessel; second place: Olivia Boyd, Marc Gault, Sydney Balkan, Stephanie Grow, Hilary Holtrop; third place: Michael Barbour, Alexandria Pharr, Mercedes Woods, Hannah Boice, Taylene Eldredge, Ryan Kelbel, Ryan McLane, Matthew Sierra, Kendrick Gale and Kaylee Gumm.



Greywolf Elementary School

Grand prize, Christopher Heintz; first place: Drew Golding, Jack Drennan; second place: Emily Funston, Tatum Jensen, Kaylynn Hardwick; third place: Nicole Anders, Faith McConnaughey, Megan Klein, Sheyenne Terry, Brittan Albert, James Thayer and Beau Bernsten.