JACKSON -- Jesse Perry of Jackson smelled victory in a national essay contest, which asked students to describe their favorite smell to an extraterrestrial pen pal.
Perry's description of his favorite smell freshly cut wood was chosen as one of three runners up in the contest.
In his essay, 12-year-old Perry wrote: "The smell of freshly cut wood is one of my absolute favorite smells. It seems to relax your body and cool you off. It flows through your nose (if you have one) smoothly and slowly. It makes you want to sleep or lay down. The smell remains distinct for a long time when you smell it. It is a strong but sweet smell. It makes you appreciate nature."
Two grand prize winners were selected, three runners up and 250 students earned certificates of participation.
As a runner up, Perry will receive a space encyclopedia, an air and space dictionary and a book about extraterrestials.
The contest was sponsored by Fisons Corporation, makers of Nasalcrom nasal solution. The contest was open to the nation's sixth and seventh graders. More than 500 junior high schools participated.
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