Madison Middle School sixth grade student Alia Paddock recently won the Macy's "Follow a Leader" essay contest.

The competition involved writing a letter to one of 26 Seattle business leaders. Alia chose to write to Brenda F. Barnette CEO at the Seattle Humane Society for Seattle King County. There were 600 entries submitted by students in grades four through 12. Alia was one of the 26 entry winners.

She received a $1,000 U.S. savings bond and attended a luncheon at the Seattle Times with the business leaders and the contest winners. Alia is the daughter of Sarah and Scott Paddock.