CEDAR CITY — Third graders from across the Iron County School District gushed about their home city for Cedar City’s “Love Where You Live” essay contest. Three took home prizes.
“I love Cedar City,” said first-place winner Alexa Oliver, pumping her fist after reading her speech at Wednesday’s Cedar City Council meeting.
Oliver won $150 for her submission, plus $300 for her teacher Shaun Hunt’s classroom at Three Peaks Elementary School. Second-place winner Olivia Barney won $100 for herself and $200 for Julie Barnhurst’s classroom at Iron Springs Elementary School.
Third-place winner Liam James Alcoran took home $50, and his teacher, South Elementary School’s McKenzie Almond, won $100, said Cedar City Events Director Brandon Burke.
Approximately 250 children entered the contest, he said.
“This year, I had a committee,” he said. “I did read them all, but I couldn’t read them all in time to make these decisions, so I had a committee narrow them down to our three winners. It was one of the hardest things I think I’ve ever had to do. … It was really cool and every one brought a smile to my face.”
Each student took to the podium to read their essays before taking pictures with Cedar City Mayor Garth Green, City Council members and their families.
Alcoran said his family moved to Cedar City from “the Big Island” of Hawaii for his dad’s new job.
“I felt a mix of emotions,” he said. “I was nervous, shy, but also excited for the change. … I knew I would miss a lot about the island — the beautiful water and sunshine and some of my family and friends. But I was also excited because my cousin already lived in Cedar City and told me it was a great place to live.”
The Aquatic Center is a highlight for Alcoran, who said he loves swimming. His mom also teaches hula classes at the center, which he helps with.
“I love to see the different people from our community joining in on something that’s special to my family,” he said. “Now, let’s talk about snow. When I first saw snow, I thought it was fascinating. How could something so pretty (be so cold)? Snow is one of my favorite things about Cedar City, especially when it covers the mountains and glistens in the sunlight.”
Barney has lived in Cedar City her entire life and loves it “because of all the kind people. I have the best teachers and friends.”
“I think we have good health care workers because I go to physical therapy every week, and they are very nice to me,” she said. “And I feel lucky that I have grandparents in town. I also love Cedar City because we have good restaurants.”
Cedar City is a beautiful place, Barney said, declaring that she loves “the red mountains and pretty blue sky.”
“Some favorite things to do are going to the Shakespeare Festival Green Show, trick-or-treating down Main Street, swimming at the Aquatic Center, playing at the park, picking pumpkins at the pumpkin patch and hiking at Cedar Breaks,” she said.
Oliver was born in Cedar City and has lived there for nine years, she said.
“Many of my favorite memories so far have taken place in my hometown and the areas close by,” she said. “I want to share why I feel so lucky to grow up in Cedar City.”
Breaking her essay down by season, Oliver said she loved the flowers that bloom in the Spring and going to Ladybug Nursery to choose plants for their garden and home. In the Summer, she enjoys swimming at the Aquatic Center or the Lake on the Hill, watching parades and eating summer treats.
“I love the fall the most in Cedar City,” she said. “I love that the leaves change colors and fall off the trees. I love to help my dad rake the leaves and blow them into piles so I can jump into them. At the end of the fall, there is a sheep parade. I think that it is so cool that there are so many sheep that run down Main Street.”
Oliver loves wintertime sledding with her family and friends, the Storybook Parade and holiday light displays.
“For Christmas, our town decorates Main Street with lots of pretty lights — pretty Christmas lights,” she said. “I love driving down Main Street and looking at them.”
As an aspiring college basketball player, Oliver said she “loves that we have SUU in our town” and especially enjoyed watching Southern Utah University’s women’s basketball team.
“One of my favorite things about seeing their team is that after every game that they play, they go around the court and give the fans high fives and hugs,” she said. “It makes me feel so special and part of the team.”
In closing, Oliver said she hopes she can help Cedar City “keep being the best place to live.”
“My favorite thing about Cedar City is all the kind people,” she said. “I have the best of friends that live here and are so special to me. I love that my grandma and grandpa live here, so I can visit them all the time. I also love all my neighbors because they help the community grow and help people in need.”
Southern Utahns can read winners’ full essays on Cedar City’s website and other entries at the Cedar City offices at 10 N. Main Street.
Ed. note: Edited to correct the spelling of Alcoran’s name.
Photo Gallery
Liam Alcoran poses for pictures with Cedar City Mayor Garth Green, City Council members and his family, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Alexa Oliver poses for pictures with Cedar City Mayor Garth Green, City Council members and her family, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News L-R: South Elementary School teacher McKenzie Almond stands with Liam Alcoran in front of his essay, which is displayed on the glass behind them, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Alexa Oliver (center) and her parents stand in front of her winning essay, which is displayed on the glass behind them, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Olivia Barney poses for pictures with Cedar City Mayor Garth Green, City Council members and her family, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The first-place winner in Cedar City's Love Where You Live essay contest, Alexa Oliver, reads her essay to the Cedar City Council, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News The first-place winner in Cedar City's Love Where You Live essay contest, Alexa Oliver, reads her essay to the Cedar City Council, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Liam Alcoran reads his essay at the Cedar City Council meeting, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Olivia Barney reads her essay at the Cedar City Council meeting, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News Olivia Barney reads her essay at the Cedar City Council meeting, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News L-R: Cedar City Events Director Brandon Burke talks to Olivia Barney after she read her essay at the Cedar City Council meeting, Cedar City, Utah, March 13, 2024 | Photo by Alysha Lundgren, St. George News
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