For the past few years, the students at Sacramento Adventist Academy have consistently represented the academy by winning a few entries at the California State Fair. However, this year was different. Instead of the usual three or four entries, 13 children entered and won.

One of the winners was Nikki Godfrey, a third-grader who entered various canning and baking contests. Winning a total of four categories, she won first and second place for jellies, salsa, spaghetti sauce and cookies as well as two best of class awards.

“The first time I went to the judging at the state fair, I was so scared,” said Godfrey. “However, right before they judged the jellies, they said that raspberry was their favorite kind. I had made raspberry jelly. Then they brought out six entries and I was nervous, but I won a first and second place award. I was so excited when I got nine ribbons in all!”

Fourth-graders also won. They built and displayed missions for their state fair entries. Arend Aldama, Kiana Myers, Joanne Kim and Zoë Godfrey each received a first place award for their missions while Annie Mack won third place for hers. Further, Aldama won the Best of Class and award of excellence awards, along with a $100 cash prize. Godfrey also entered her clay sculptures and won first place and best of class awards for “Children of the World” creation and third place for “Trails Merge.”

Sixth-graders were also represented at the fair. After studying about South America, students Daniel Chi, Matthew Cosensci, Justin Dew and Derek Brizendine combined their creative talents in sewing and stuffed a six-foot tall llama. Their efforts were rewarded with third place. Lucas Myers won first place for his Aztec bridge.

“It was fun to make the Aztec bridge, but extra exhilarating to be displayed in the state fair,” said Myers.

Junior high students Adam Rasmussen and Mark Kramer won for a second year in a row. This year they built the Eiffel Tower out of coins and connectors. Standing over five feet tall, their creation not only drew a lot of attention, but also received first place.

“It took two to three months to build the structure with about 6,000 coins. To have it in the state fair was really cool,” said Kramer.

Sacramento Adventist Academy is very proud of all of its students’ efforts. The school is equally happy that thousands of visitors could view the students’ creations in the junior exhibits of the California State Fair.