History contest asks youth what makes Vashon special to them

For the contest, students can submit an essay, play, poem, dance, video, or some other visual presentation about people, places, events, or memories of Vashon.

By Peter Woodburn For Vashon Heritage Museum • April 6, 2022 1:30 am
(Graphic Courtesy Vashon Heritage Museum) The Vashon Story, a history contest sponsored by Vashon Thriftway and the Vashon Heritage Museum, asks the youngest scholars of Vashon to detail aspects of life on the island and the history they think should be shared and remembered.
(Graphic Courtesy Vashon Heritage Museum) The Vashon Story, a history contest sponsored by Vashon Thriftway and the Vashon Heritage Museum, asks the youngest scholars of Vashon to detail aspects of life on the island and the history they think should be shared and remembered.

A new contest aims to find out what some of Vashon’s most forward-thinking young people think about the island’s past and future.

The Vashon Story, a contest sponsored by Vashon Thriftway and the Vashon Heritage Museum for students in grades 4 and 5, or ages 9 to 11, asks island youth to suggest and detail aspects of life on the island they think should be shared and remembered.

For the contest, students can submit an essay, play, poem, dance, video, or some other visual presentation about people, places, events, or memories of Vashon. All entries will receive a one-year membership to the Heritage Museum, and the top entries will receive a cash prize, as decided by the judges of the Vashon Heritage Museum’s education committee.

The contest is part of the Museum’s educational programming, much of which is sponsored by Vashon Thriftway. Thriftway Vice President Clay Gleb said the contributions will help carry the legacy of his grandfather Norm Mathew’s involvement and love for education on the island.

“Norm was always interested in helping any cause that had to do with youth education, so that is often how we try to direct our giving to the community,” said Gleb. “He really saw how we educate and how we teach our kids as an indicator of the health of our community.”

Gleb added said The Vashon Story contest will provide a distinctive opportunity for students to track the parallels that often form throughout history.

“History tends to repeat itself,” said Gleb.

The committee members are excited to see how the youth of Vashon envision history and the creative ways they present their topics.

“How we experience life influences the stories that we tell about a place and a time,” said education committee member Yvonne Pitrof. “It will be so interesting to learn from these students’ interpretations of Vashon that reflect their own perspectives.”

Entries for the Vashon Story contest, due by April 23, can be emailed to contest@vashonheritage.org. Winners will be notified via email or phone by May 5. Contest rules and more information can be found at www.vashonheritage.org/contest.