Reed City Student Won Poetry Contest
Hailey Fenton was honored for her creative work regarding Michigan's 1973 PBB contamination disaster.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Organic Food
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Hailey Fenton, a junior at Reed City High School, has won an illustrated poetry contest organized by the PBB Citizens Advisory Board. The poem examined the 1973 contamination crisis in Michigan that affected the food supply.
Why it matters
The competition encouraged local students to research and process the state's historical PBB contamination. It highlights the lasting impact of the incident where polybrominated biphenyl was mixed into livestock feed.
The 1973 PBB contamination disaster occurred when polybrominated biphenyl was accidentally mixed into livestock feed. This contamination spread throughout Michigan through animal products entering the food supply.
The players
Hailey Fenton
She is a junior at Reed City High School who was selected as the winner of the illustrated poetry contest.
PBB Citizens Advisory Board
This organization manages community outreach regarding the long-term impacts of polybrominated biphenyl contamination.
The details
Participants in the contest were tasked with learning about the environmental and agricultural disaster through a combination of poetry and visual art. Fenton, a student from Reed City, successfully depicted the historical crisis through her creative submission.
Timeline
The PBB contamination disaster occurred in Michigan in 1973.
An award presentation and community meeting will occur on Nov. 7, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Culture Shift
This project reflects a broader movement to bridge generational gaps regarding the 1973 PBB contamination disaster. It utilizes creative expression to ensure that younger populations remain informed about local ecological and agricultural history.
Residents of St. Louis can attend the upcoming community meeting at City Hall to learn more about the board's efforts. The event provides an opportunity to discuss the historical context of local food supply safety and environmental awareness.
The takeaway
Fenton demonstrates how students can engage with difficult local history through creative arts. Readers interested in environmental history may find that learning about past food safety crises informs their understanding of modern agricultural standards.
What happens next
A community meeting and award presentation will be held at St. Louis City Hall on Nov. 7, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Further reading
For more information on historical agricultural safety, visit the Organic Food section.
More information
Review the full illustrated poetry contest information for project details.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Huron Daily Tribune.
Live Poll
Should local schools encourage students to learn about regional environmental history through creative competitions?
