“We get a publication from the Texas 4-H every week and noticed the details about the competition in it,” stated Ottmo. “I did some analysis on bees and it was attention-grabbing, so I continued to do the analysis, learn some books, obtained some fingers on expertise and talked to a couple native folks we all know who’ve some bees. As soon as I had all the knowledge, I just about wrote the essay in a single evening.”

Deadline for the entry was April 25. Ottmo stated it was mailed electronically on that day.

The theme for this yr’s essay was “Transportation: Minimizing Stress on Bees whereas Getting Them The place They Have to Be.” The entry size was 750 to 1,000 phrases. It additionally required biographical info on the author and their sources and citations. Accompanying photograph pictures have been inspired, in addition to inclusion of state legal guidelines and the way they relate to the problem.

Contest organizers requested for examples of how stress could be minimized on bees as they’re transported from location to location, short-haul or lengthy. The essays can be judged on scope of analysis, accuracy, creativity, conciseness and logical growth of the subject.

“‘I started doing analysis on honey bees in my neighborhood,’” Ottmo wrote within the essay. “‘I attended a month-to-month assembly of the Lamar County Beekeepers Affiliation. I additionally visited with Kacy Cole, supervisor of Dadant, an area beekeeping provide retailer. I then accompanied native beekeeper, Earl Baggerley, to one in every of his apiaries. We started by speaking about his 45 years of expertise with beekeeping.’”

After a number of weeks, the Ottmo household obtained notification that Alyssa’s essay had been chosen to characterize the state of Texas within the nationwide competitors. It was chosen from a area of 12 entries from throughout the state.

The Basis for the Preservation of Honey Bees will select three essays to be awarded prizes from entries from throughout the nation. First prize shall be $750; second, $500; and third, $250.

The younger creator can also be an artist and final yr gained a T-shirt design competitors sponsored by Belk Division Shops. She obtained a $500 reward card from the retailer and it additionally proffered a $2,500 grant to her faculty. Since she is home-schooled, she and her dad and mom donated the cash to the 4-H Membership of Lamar County.

Ottmo additionally took half in a latest quilt present, and whereas in public faculty, was concerned in Gifted and Gifted applications and Future Drawback Fixing. She is trying ahead to the beginning of the approaching yr of 4-H and plans to assist with the funding and operation of a neighborhood backyard designed to provide meals merchandise for the needy.