Perfect pets may be a little difficult to find, but 12 students were able to put into words the theme of the essay contest titled, “If I could choose the perfect pet, it would be __ because ...”

The 10th annual essay contest was sponsored by Tuscarawas County Family and Children First Council’s Animal/Child Abuse Prevention Committee. The group is associated with the Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services Board of Tuscarawas and Carroll Counties.

The essay contest drew 286 entries from 3rd- through 6th-graders in schools from Tuscarawas County. The ceremony was held in the county office building at New Philadelphia because of rain.

Winners of first through third places received gift cards of $50, $30 and $20, respectively.

The four first-place winners are as follows:
– Seth Devine, 9, of Mineral City, a 3rd-grader at Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate School, who wrote that a dog is the perfect pet. He said it is unfair that animals are abused and wrote that they really are one’s friend. He is the son of Jannette Devine and Montgomery Edwards of Mineral City.

– Riley Roubanes, 9, of Stone Creek, a 4th-grader at Ragersville Elementary, wrote about a pet lizard that could catch crickets in the bathroom and she would keep it on a leash. She is the daughter of Bryon and Rachelle Roubanes of Stone Creek.

– Jillian Strawn, 10, of New Philadelphia and a 5th-grader at Indian Hills Christian School at New Philadelphia, wrote about her perfect pets – a horse and the family’s  black Lab named Trooper.

The dog was found along the road and brought home.  She is the daughter of Bill and Sheila Strawn of New Philadelphia.

– Riley Kellish, 12, a 6th-grader at Newcomerstown Middle School, wrote a fictional essay about a pet dolphin that was purple with polka dots. She is the daughter of Jodi Kellish of Port Washington.

Second-place winners are Chevy Ash, 3rd grade, Dover East Elementary; Delaney McConaha, 4th grade, Tuscarawas Valley Intermediate; Shyanne Mackey, 5th grade, Claymont Intermediate; and Hannah Howell, 6th grade, Newcomerstown Intermediate.

Third-place winners are Chloe Crone, 3rd grade, Dover East Elementary; Tommy Havranek, 4th grade, Baltic Elementary; Shanell Wallace, 5th grade, Claymont Intermediate; and Sammie Ortt, 6th grade, Newcomerstown Middle School.

Keynote speaker was Lynn Angelozzi, director of Tuscarawas County Job and Family Services, who stressed the campaign theme “Pinwheels for Prevention: It’s Your turn to Raise Leaders of Tomorrow.”

She said many children have dirty clothes, not enough food or may be abused.
“Currently there are 100 children in the county in foster care, 83 are in temporary custody while working with the parents and 17 children are in permanent custody and are looking for a home,” she said.

County Commissioner Jim Seldenright read commissioners’ proclamation declaring April as Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention month. Commissioner Chris Abbuhl presented the awards and Commissioner Kerry Metzger spoke about giving children love and support.

WJER Radio donated a pair of Cleveland Indians tickets to the teachers of each first- place winner. Cappy, the Child Abuse Prevention puppy, greeted the students.