Ari Marshall, a seventh grader at Langley Middle School, was one of five to win a national essay contest by Scholastic Scope magazine.

According to the South Whidbey School District newsletter, Marshall composed a letter to Congress that contended that veterans should be given the choice of adopting the dogs they worked with while serving in the military.

The newsletter states that Marshall did a “fantastic job” using information from Scholastic Scope magazine to support her arguments.

In recognition for her achievement, she was given a copy of the book “Dogs of War.”