After seven successful Middle School Writing Contests, the Tidewater Oyster Gardeners Association (TOGA) and C&F Bank will again sponsor a Middle School Writing Contest with significantly increased prizes.

Awards will be $500, $250 and $100 for the top three essays, an increase from previous years. The theme is “Consider the Oyster” and rules state that the essay must be based on oysters.

Additionally, the school of the first-place winner will be awarded $200 to spend on educational aids.

The competition is open to all Virginia students in grades 6, 7 and 8. Home-schooled students are welcome to enter.

“This continued increase in prize money indicates the commitment TOGA members have to emphasize education for our young people,” said TOGA president Terry Lewis. “Reaching young people at an early age is very important to start a lifelong interest in ecology and the importance of the health of the bay,” he said.

Depending on the pandemic situation, winners will be ann...