Presenting … words of wisdom from our future generation
Assembled here are the winning essays from the third Foothills Forum/Rappahannock News essay contest, held in conjunction with Rappahannock County Public Schools. Rapp News reporter Julia Shanahan worked with the essayists to improve their works and writing as part of her service project as a member of Report for America, the national public service program that places journalists in local newsrooms.
The winners receive recognition and cash prizes from Foothills in two categories. Middle school: winner (Faith Harrison, grade 7), second place (Emily Matthews, grade 8), third place (Isabelle Robey, grade 7). High school: winner (Meredith Siqueiros, grade 12), second place (Heather Williams, grade 12), third place (Sarabeth Ellis, grade 12).
“I loved working with the students to polish their essays,” Shanahan said. “I was really impressed with their willingness to take edits and make their winning essays even stronger.”
We congratulate all the winners and essay writers (some 41 in all), and we thank the judges: Committee Chair Edie Tatel, Tim Carrington, Ann Crittenden, Sheila Lamb, Julie Ruth and Lilo Wolfe.
Thanks also to Rapp News publisher Dennis Brack and Holly Jenkins of Rappahannock County Public Schools for shepherding the essay contest through the Covid years.