"It's great for the school as well as for kids who have to use their creative writing and performing arts skills, not to mention all those good social skills," Sherman said. "The focus of any contest has to be on academics and it has to tie in with our curriculum."
What is Oakdale going to do with the money it has won? It has purchased 30 electronic keyboards for the music classroom and two dozen digital cameras for student projects. The school is shopping for some percussion instruments and equipment to make music videos.
Aissa Rouse, 8, left, and her class won $6,000 in contest money from Dunkin' Donuts for a commercial on "selling" the importance of homework.
(Michael Williamson -- The Washington Post)
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Video: Oakdale Elementarys Winning Performance
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"These are extra things you can't easily get" from the school budget, Poling said. "The contests don't detract from the learning and, if you win, they help provide new resources and new opportunities."
The kids in Poling's class said they got a lot out of participating in the contests. Nicole Nichols, 8, said, "I think we probably did learn about homework," but learned even more about how to work together as a team. As for Dunkin' Donuts, Nichols said, "I love them. I loved them before but now even more."
Would she eat any other doughnuts, say a Krispy Kreme? Nichols wrinkled her nose. "No, I don't like them."
Olivia Howells, 7, performed in both Oscar Mayer competitions and has no doubt what the best part was: "We won."
Has it prompted her to eat Oscar Mayer products? "No," she said.
For her part, Poling is already thinking about contest entries for next year.
