Winners of the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association’s seventh annual Middle School Essay Contest were honored at TOGA’s membership party on March 16 at the Freeshade Community Center, Syringa.

TOGA received numerous essays from middle school students across Virginia, a release stated. Six young writers attended to read their winning essays. First-place prize was awarded $500, $250 for second place, two students tied for third and received $100 each, and two students were recognized as honorable mention and took home gift cards donated by Bubba’s Shrimp Shack. The teacher of the first-place student entry received $200. Also, all students were awarded TOGA apparel.

Eighth grader Drew Wajciechowski of Liberty Middle School in Ashland won first place. Cole Christensen, a seventh grader from Thomas Hunter Middle School, received second place. Two THMS eighth graders shared third place—Grace Keel and Ayla Martinez. Homeschooled eighth grader David Contreras of Henrico County and sev...