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This article was written by Karen Firstbrook for Cerra Vista Elementary School.

Cerra Vista Elementary School learned last week that they are a finalist in the Frigo Cheese Heads Build a Bright Future campaign.  Over 4,000 essays were submitted to the campaign and ten schools across the nation were selected as finalists.  As a finalist, Cerra Vista is guaranteed a grant in the amount of $2,500, but they are aiming high and hoping to be the top vote-getter in order to receive the $10,000 grand prize.

Cerra Vista’s winning essay spoke of the school’s brand new STEAM Labs and the need to purchase supplies for the labs.  STEAM Labs focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics, allowing students to observe, discover and experiment.  Cerra Vista’s new Principal, Gabriella Armenta, brought the idea of the Labs to the school and motivated her staff and parent volunteers to create these spaces for the students. 

After the contest was brought to the attention of the Library Media Specialist, the following essay was written as the entry:

At Cerra Vista Elementary School in Hollister, California we are hard at work building a better and brighter future for our students. Teachers work tirelessly creating engaging lessons and providing exceptional learning opportunities. Our staff is committed to being and giving our best to our students. We recently created a STEAM LAB where our students are making amazing discoveries in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math! While our Lab has been stocked with generous donations, we will not be able to sustain the Lab over time without more help, and we fear its bright light may dim. In addition to needing more consumable items, we would love to add technology and non fiction books to our Lab, providing opportunities for research and discovery. Our STEAM LAB challenges our students to think deeply, make connections and create solutions. Ultimately, the Lab builds better and brighter students, citizens and leaders.

Now that the top ten finalists have been announced, voting is open to the general public and Cerra Vista is counting on our community to vote daily for their school.  Voting is open to anyone over 21 years old and votes can be cast daily through November 30th.  The grand prize winner will be notified the first week of December.

Please help out our local school by voting daily for Cerra Vista at: www.cheeseheadsbrightfuture.com