“This Place Matters” 2025 student essay contest winners announced

The South Dakota State Historic Preservation Office hosted their annual “This Place Matters” essay contest in early 2025, when fourth graders from across South Dakota were asked to write an essay on a place in South Dakota that is at least 50 years old. The essays were to describe why the place matters, what it means to the writer, and why the place should be preserved. Essays were judged on the quality of writing, content and theme, and originality of thought.

The State Historic Preservation Office received 207 essays this year from 23 different schools from across the state. The winners are:
• Ava Ireland, Kadoka Elementary School, “Triangle Ranch,” first place
• Tiana Suurmeier, Scotland Elementary School, “Zion Lutheran: A Home for Worship, Learning, and Inspiration,” second place; and
• Jackson Lee, Camelot Intermediate School, Brookings, “Brown Hall SDSU,” third place.

The winning entries can be read on the State Historic Preservation Office’s website. The winners also will receive a cash prize for their entries.