DATE: June 01, 2009

CONTACT: Malcolm Rainey, 864-656-3974
malcolr@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, 864-656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu

South Carolina 4-H’er wins national essay contest

CLEMSON — Ten-year-old Helen Coats of Rock Hill won first place in the national 4-H Beekeeping Essay Contest. Her essay was chosen from among 27 state-winning entries from across the United States. 

The contest was sponsored by the Foundation for the Preservation of Honey Bees. The assigned topic was "The Dance Language of Honey Bees." Essayists were to learn about the honey bee's dance language, how it was discovered, how it works and how it provides colonies the ability to find and exploit floral resources.

Helen combines music with her love of nature and hopes to become an accomplished violinist and singer. She titled her essay, "The Bee Dance - Not Exactly the ‘Electric Slide'!" She was awarded a check for $750.

Malcolm Rainey, South Carolina 4-H agriculture specialist, coordinated the essays for the state.

The second-place winner is from Kentucky and the third-place participant is from Oregon.

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