ACHIEVE RS

FOI Oklahoma has announced winners from the Zach Taylor First Amendment Congress essay contest.

More than 240 essay entries were received from students from ASTEC, Bixby, Chouteau, Deer Creek, Duncan, Enid Chisholm, Hammon, Hennessey, Hobart, Inola, Lawton MacArthur, Marlow, Norman, Oklahoma Christian, Oklahoma Virtual Charter, Pawnee, Southwest Covenant, Walters, and Edmond Memorial, Edmond Santa Fe and Edmond North high schools.

FOI Oklahoma sponsors the annual essay contest and the annual First Amendment Congress to help young people explore the importance of the amendment’s five freedoms in modern day America.

Essay winners were Jade Roberson, Edmond Santa Fe High School, first place, $300 cash prize; Sonia Coffin, Hobart High School, second place, $200; and Michaela Anang, Edmond Santa Fe High School, third place, $100.

Those receiving honorable mentions and a $15 iTunes gift card, include:

Gabriele Davis, Edmond Memorial High School; Angela George, Norman High School; Cori Ratliff, Edmond Memorial High School; Patrick Stone, ASTEC Charter High School; McKenzie Tipton, Oklahoma Christian School; Jessica Gutierrez, Enid Chisholm High School; and Haden Bollenbach, Edmond Memorial High School.

Certificates and prizes were presented at the First Amendment Congress at the University of Central Oklahoma in Edmond.

To be considered for this column, please send achievement announcements and photos to LLynn@Oklahoman.com.