AUSTIN (KXAN) — The Trail of Lights Foundation has been working with H-E-B and students in Austin schools to expand literacy efforts.

The organization held an essay contest, encouraging elementary students to write stories about someone who has done something kind.

There was a tie for first place and the two winners both come from the same school. Samaya Taylor and Gianna Gonzalez are 4th Graders at Cunningham Elementary.

“We didn’t really know we were going to win this,” says Taylor.

Gonzalez echoes her classmate, “I was surprised and nervous…”

Samaya and Gianna’s essays earned them a chance to take part in the Trail of Lights Opening Ceremonies on Dec. 8. They also won a reading party for their school courtesy of H-E-B, which helped sponsor the contest.

(source: http://kxan.com/2015/12/01/two-cunningham-elementary-kids-win-trail-of-lights-essay-contest/)