TAP Proudly Presents
The 2002-2003 Essay Contest Winners!
Middle School Division
First Place: Prize $150 Savings Bond
Sean McGill, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Second Place (3-way tie): Prize $75 Savings Bond
Allison Chan, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Aaron Ross Kiersh, Grade 7, Bedford Middle School, Westport, Connecticut
Hannah Korsmeyer, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Honorable Mention
Liz Collins, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
HRD, Grade 6, Saxe Middle School, New Canaan, Connecticut
Carey Elizabeth, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Laura Gladd, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Taylor Anne Potter, Grade 6, Saxe Middle School, New Canaan, Connecticut
Lisa Russell, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
Cathleen Young, Grade 8, Lyme-Old Lyme Middle School, Old Lyme, Connecticut
The middle school essay question was:
Movies and TV programs often show discrimination and prejudice against a race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or other group of people. Some movies and TV programs successfully demonstrate how hurtful discrimination can be. Others totally ignore this fact and may even increase hate and bias.
In 500 words or less, please write the plot/story for a new movie or TV program OR please change the plot/story of an existing movie or TV program with the goal of raising awareness of discrimination and prejudice. What would the name be for your show or film? What would your plot or story be? Please include solutions to decrease discrimination and/or prejudice.
Read the middle school winning essays
Read the middle school honorable mention essays
High School Division
First Place: Prize $150 Savings Bond
Omayra Santana, Grade 12, Hartford Public High School, Hartford, Connecticut
Honorable Mention
Axeline Maisonet, Grade 11, Hartford Public High School, Hartford, Connecticut
The high school essay question was:
As is true throughout history, world events can and do impact each and every one of us. In today's world, the effects are felt more strongly on a "real time basis" because with the advent of advanced communication technologies, events are reported minute-by-minute.
Recent events, reported to us daily, include the attacks of 9/11/01, the increase in tensions between India and Pakistan, and the escalation of violence in the Middle East.
Do you feel the news has done a fair job of reporting on these events? Are you confident that news is "confirmed" before being shared with the public? Are there any instances in which you can cite a news program, a newspaper, or an internet site that you feel does an unbiased job of reporting the news? How has that been demonstrated to you?
On the other hand, is there a news broadcast or newspaper which you feel has been less than evenhanded? Please give the name of the show or periodical and what you've seen or read which makes you feel that way.
Please limit your essay to 500 words or less.
