School wins $5,000 for agriculture education

Out of more than 40,000 entries nationwide, St. Mary School in Bellevue won the $5,000 grand prize in a "Let it Grow" agriculture contest sponsored by digital content provider Discovery Education and educational nonprofit Nutrients for Life Foundation.

To win, educators, parents and community members answered soil-related questions online and voted daily for a middle school of their choice.

The money, presented at a May 24 school assembly that included interactive science activities, will be used on a school garden.

"It is incredible to have St. Mary’s School named the grand prize winner," said Trish Wallinger, principal. "I would absolutely encourage middle school educators across the country to include these resources in their classroom instruction."

Five runner-up schools – in Texas, Louisiana and California and two in Pennsylvania – each received a $1,000 agricultural grant.