Clermont County Auditor Announces "Best Dog" Contest Winners

January 22, 2006
Press Release

Batavia, Ohio. Linda Fraley, Clermont County Auditor, the Board of Clermont County Commissioners and the Clermont County Humane Society are proud to announce the winners of the sixth annual "Best Dog in Clermont County" contest.

Almost 500 entries were received representing eleven participating schools in the Clermont County area. "I look forward to seeing these pictures and reading these stories. The relationships that these kids have with their dogs is something special." said Linda Fraley, County Auditor.

The contest was open to Clermont County residents in kindergarten through sixth grade. The children were asked to enter a dog by drawing a picture and describing why their dog was the best dog in Clermont County.

County Auditor Linda Fraley, Clermont County Commissioner Bob Proud and Director of the Clermont County Humane Society Kim Naegel, judged the entries. The winning entries are:

Kindergarten

1. Mikayla Day Fritch Seipelt Elementary
2. Christian Leggett Felicity Franklin
3. Max Turner Felicity Franklin

First Grade

1. Sarah Hoog Felicity Franklin
2. Kaitlyn Sharp Felicity Franklin
3. Jocelyn Paxton Mulberry Elementary

Second Grade

1. Ethan Brown Felicity Franklin
2. Brianne Carwell CNE Elementary
3. Lilly Hedrick New Richmond Elementary

Third Grade

1. Mark Swing St. Andrew-St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
2. Hannah Huffer Seipelt Elementary
3. Hannah Wuerfel St. Andrew - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Fourth Grade

1. Hannah Campbell Seipelt Elementary
2. Nicole Geygan Summerside Elementary
3. Jessica Duncan St. Andrew - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Fifth Grade

1. Kristi Duncan St. Andrew - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
2. Maddie White St. Andrew - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton
3. Alexandria Atkins Batavia Middle School

Sixth Grade

1. Jonathan Ward Bethel Tate Middle School
2. Taylor May Seipelt Elementary
3. Beatrice Craycraft Seipelt Elementary

This year the panel of judges decided to give special recognition to a dog name Daisy. Daisy belongs to Lauren Short who is a special education teacher at Loveland Primary School. Daisy comes to school on a regular basis and lets the students read to her. Ms. Short says, "We have seen students build their confidence in reading and socializing due to the interaction they have with Daisy." Principal Kyle Bush says, "Once the kids have had their turn reading to Daisy they just beam with joy and pride. As good as our program is there is no other way we could recreate the special event that having Daisy here represents. She is indeed a special dog!"

The students love Daisy too. Brenna says "I love Daisy and I love to read to her." Cody says, "I love her. She lies down and listens to me when I read to her." Cynthia says, "She licks my face and she looks at the book when I read to her. I like her because she is sweet and nice."

Contest winners will be recognized at an awards ceremony on January 30, 2007 at 6:30 pm at the Union Township Civic Center, 4350 Aicholtz Road. Winning entries are viewable at the county Web site, www.clermontcountyohio.gov under Currently Clermont.

For additional information contact Jenni Hendricks or Cindy White at the Clermont County Auditor's office at (513) 732-7150.

Sincerely,

Linda L. Fraley

Clermont County Auditor