SALEM — Eight elementary and middle-school students from across Oregon were recognized for their essays about the state in the newest edition of the Oregon Blue Book, which was released Tuesday.

The state’s official directory and unofficial almanac has been published every other year since its debut in 1911. The cost is $18, and can be obtained online from the secretary of state, or in selected bookstores.

An electronic version also is maintained by the Archives Division of the secretary of state.

Kate Brown became governor Feb. 18. A page was added to the new edition noting her assumption of the governorship and her appointment of Jeanne Atkins to succeed her as secretary of state.

One new feature in this edition is an essay contest that Brown, then secretary of state, patterned after student writing and artwork samples featured in a photo exhibit about rural schools more than a century ago.

Elementary school students were asked to write about why they like to live in Oregon. Middle school students were asked to write about their favorite place in Oregon and why.

The winning essays and three runners-up were reproduced in the Blue Book. Two are illustrated by drawings.

The elementary school winner was Cierra Shapley, a fourth grader at Candy Lane Elementary School in Milwaukie. Runners-up were Jaxon Dietrichs, third grade, Hilda Lahti Elementary, Knappa; Nieka Marais, fourth grade, Ainsworth Elementary, Portland; and Alia Shafran, fourth grade, also of Ainsworth Elementary.

The middle school winner was Inessa Garrey, sixth grade, Judson Middle School, Salem.

Runners-up were Kaleigh Henderson, seventh grade, Athey Creek Middle School, West Linn; Kili Kato, sixth grade, Scotts Mills Elementary School; and Lily Volger, sixth grade, Echo School.

Winners in the photo contest also have their work displayed.

The photo on the front cover was shot by Ted Demetriades of Grants Pass. It is of Lithia Park in Ashland.

The photo on the rear was shot by Kenneth Thompson of Tigard. It is of a poplar tree farm in Morrow County.

The Capital Bureau is a collaboration between EO Media Group and Pamplin Media Group.