NEWS INFORMATION FROM |
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THE OFFICE OF MAYOR STEPHEN R. REED |
FOR IMMEDIATE USE |
REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. ESSAY COMPETITION WINNERS ANNOUNCEDHarrisburg, PA – Mayor Stephen R. Reed today announced the winners of the City’s Twenty-first Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Essay Competition. The successful young authors were recognized at a special ceremony in their honor at the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. City Government Center, the only government headquarters in the world to be named after the heroic civil rights leader. It was so named by an Executive Order issued by the Mayor in 1982. First begun by the Mayor in 1985, the annual competition has drawn more than 5,000 voluntary entries over the past twenty-one years. Participating students in grades seven through twelve were asked to write about a pre-selected topic relative to the teachings of Dr. King and how they relate to the world today. The topic for this year’s Competition was: “America is becoming more diverse. Some try to divide and separate us along racial, ethnic and religious lines. What would Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. do about this and what will you, individually, do to assure the cohesiveness and inclusiveness of our society and nation.” Joining the city as a cosponsor of the 2005 Essay Competition is Pinnacle Health Systems, with additional support and prizes provided by Wachovia Bank, United States Post Office, ChurchWorld and Pizza Hut Restaurants. Winning entries received plaques from the city and Pinnacle Health Systems, a Wachovia Bank U.S. Savings Bond ranging from $250 for 1st place, $150 for 2nd place, and $100 for 3rd place. Winners also receive gift certificates to ChurchWorld and Pizza Hut Restaurants. Reed said the annual literary exercise is judged by an independent panel of judges who review the hundreds of entries to determine the top three winners in each grade. Judges for this year’s Competition included Alicia Lee of Wachovia Bank, Vera Cornish of Cornish and Associates, and Kirsten Nicole Harris of the Capital Region Health System at Hamilton Health Center. “The efforts of these young people represent the perpetuation of the ideals of equality and justice for which Dr. King stood and for which he died,” said Mayor Reed. “These ideals are especially relevant as we and the world confront the evils of intolerance and terrorism. “Our appreciation is extended to all of our cosponsors, judges and educators who helped make this Competition a reality, and we applaud all of the young authors who submitted entries for judging. Each is a winner in our eyes.” The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Competition is coordinated by the Mayor’s Office and the city’s Department of Parks and Recreation. A complete listing of the 2005 Essay Competition winners is attached.
2005 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Competition Grade 7 1st Place – Daniel Leonard – St. Margaret Mary School 2nd Place – Zachary Henry – Holy Family School 3rd Place – Cory Schellenberger – St. Margaret Mary School Grade 8 1st Place – Thais Ridgeway – St. Margaret Mary School 2nd Place – Ivan Holloway – Math/Science Academy 3rd Place – Kadie Lynn Dippery-Keefer – Downey Elementary School Grade 9 1st Place – Joshua Sadlock – Bishop McDevitt High School 2nd Place – Carly Cross – Bishop McDevitt High School 3rd Place – Michelle Rozman – Bishop McDevitt High School Grade 10 1st Place – Franklin Ramos – John Harris High School 2nd Place – Maria Pabon – John Harris High School 3rd Place – Heather Barbour – John Harris High School Grade 11 1st Place – Antoinette Richardson – William Penn ACTS School 2nd Place – Asia Yeiser – William Penn ACTS School 3rd Place – Justina Mackey – John Harris High School Grade 12 1st Place – Jacob Culton – Bishop McDevitt High School 2nd Place – Abigail Chabitnoy – Bishop McDevitt High School 3rd Place – Tarah Moore – Bishop McDevitt High School |
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