We're close to announcing our winner for the Student Essay Contest, but before we do, here are our final Honorable Mentions. We hope you enjoy them as much as we did.

Jake & Emily Ehlers, age 10, 5th grade, Bridlemile Elementary School

Walking to school in the rain is fun for your eyes, ears and feet. The rain drops sound extra loud under an umbrella. If you’re lucky, there’ll be puddles to jump. And if you live on a hill like we do, it’s fun to watch the little rivers of water flowing down the street. We walk 3/4 of a mile to school every day. We like to be outside and walking in the rain is just part of living in Oregon. When people wave at us each morning from their cars, we know they wish they were walking too!

Xander Lyons

I LOVE walking to school rain or shine because it saves money, gas, oil and it’s great exercise plus very fun! I love to walk to school even when it snows because I like to play in the snow and walk with friends that live nearby. And I just like having fun with my friends too!

It’s awesome because you get to take time off from things like T.V, video games and computer in the morning. I love to wake up early and that gives me lots of time to get to school and play outside even if it’s snowing or raining. I hope you like it.

Vivian Montiero, 8 years old, Hayhurst Elementary

Dear Safe Routes here is why I like to bike to places in the rain

One day my friends rode their bikes to our house, we played for about an hour. Then one of them said: "It is getting late, our mom must be worried." We rode and rode until it started to rain. Finally we cam to their house and said "good by." after that we rode home tired and amazed.

Teaganan Freda-Cowie, grade 2, Sunnyside Environmental

I like to bike in the rain because you are not polluting and the wind is in your face. And wan [sic] you go thru a puddle and Mother Earth is glad it’s like you are taking care of her and she is glad and it makes me happy. But it’s tiring, but like I said it’s fun! But if it’s raining your fingers get cold.