Oregon Secretary of State Shemia Fagan hosted student essay winners, photography contest winners, national monument essayists, teachers, families and Oregon State Archives staff at the State Capitol for the 2023 Oregon Blue Book Day.

Video from the event

“I’m excited to see this year’s edition of the Oregon Blue Book in print,” said Secretary of State Shemia Fagan. “Our student essay contest winners tackled the challenging topic of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our photographers produced brilliant depictions of Oregon’s natural beauty. Our monument essayists provided wonderful information about these special places in Oregon. Their work will live on for generations in this important book about our state.”

The Blue Book, which has been published in odd-numbered years since 1911, is the state’s official almanac and fact book. It can be purchased online.

Our 2023-2024 Oregon Blue Book Student Essay Contest prompted students to share their COVID-19 pandemic experience. Students sent in both a written portion and an illustration to go with their essays. 

Ten finalists were selected for publication in our print edition.

Secretary Fagan’s Selection for Best Essay

Ashlyn Huang
Teacher: Desiree Chiu, 6th Grade
Corbett Grade School
Read Ashlyn's Essay

Other Essay Winners

Keina Ga
Teacher: Jennifer Hellman, 8th Grade
ACCESS Academy Alternative Program
Read Keina's Essay

Anileh Chen
Teacher: Frederic Germer, 2nd Grade
Read Anileh's Essay

Anuva Shah
Teacher: Allyson Edwards, 7th Grade
Tumwater Middle School
Read Anuva's Essay

Bairon Lai
Teacher: Katie Lukins, 3rd Grade
FLEX Online School
Read Bairon's Essay

Saffron Estrada
Teacher: Aaron Franklin, 5th Grade
Awbrey Park Elementary School
Read Saffron's Essay

Charlie Ryno
Teacher: Amy York, 8th Grade
Mitchell School
Read Charlie's Essay

Marin Busmalis Temple
Teacher: Amy York, 8th Grade
Mitchell School
Read Marin's Essay

Chazlyn Hale
Teacher: Amy York, 8th Grade
Mitchell School
Read Chazlyn's Essay

Mieko Soria
Teacher: Ashley Baker, 4th Grade
Yujin Gakuen Japanese Immersion School
Read Mieko's Essay

Cover photographer winners:

Micah Lundstedt (front cover photographer)
Dale George (back cover photographer)
See the winning photographs.

National Monument Essayists

Dr. Douglas Deur
Jason D. McClaughry
Read the Essays