Brentwood Students Win Big in Essay Contest

Two Brentwood eighth-graders started their back-to-school shopping on Friday after winning $100 each in a regional essay contest.

Emma Holmes and Kate Gilmore, both students at , were among the 100 middle school students from across the St. Louis region who won an essay contest sponsored by .

In the essays, students explained in 100 words or less how their schools could improve the environment.

Each winner was awarded a $100 shopping spree for school supplies and clothes. The winners gathered at Walmart on Friday to claim their prizes.

In her essay, Emma wrote how motion sensor lights and solar panels could save energy usage in her school.

Kate also wrote that her school could use solar panels to save energy, and she suggested that her school change all the light bulbs to environmentally-safe bulbs, which would bring down the energy bills too.

Walmart matched each $100 gift card with a $100 donation to KidSmart, a St. Louis nonprofit organization that empowers children in need to succeed in school by providing essential tools and supplies for learning.

After a small rally in the produce department, store manager Josh Hess presented Jennifer Miller, president of KidSmart, with a $25,000 check. The students then raced off with their carts and $100 gift cards.