Chris Lowrey
SHAWVILLE June 28, 2017
Two students from Dr. S.E. McDowell Elementary School in Shawville won essay contests organized by the local chapter of the Federated Women’s Institute of Canada.
Irelann Hodgins won first place and Sydney Sharpe took home third place for their essays.

Every year, the Pontiac County Women’s Institute (PCWI) organizes the essay contest and each year has a new topic. This year’s topic was “being a new Canadian.”
Contestants were asked to write about someone new in Canada and what they would see if they moved into their region.
The writing contest, although sponsored by the women’s institute, is open to all students.
Hodgins’ title was “If all good is gone, what’s left?” While Shape’s topic was “Moving and me.”
The two will now put their essays up against the best from around the province.
According to Linda Horner of the PCWI, contestants are judged mainly for their creativity and imagination, although spelling and grammar count too.
Horner gets help from a handful of other ladies associated with the PCWI when it comes time to read the more than 100 entries.
From there, each age group is whittled down to the top five, and then the top three.
“I think our county did very well,” Horner said.