The 2003-2004 High School Division Essay Contest Winners:

First Place: Prize $150 Savings Bond

Vincent Cheng, Grade 11, Wichita High School East, Wichita, Kansas

Second Place (2-way tie): Prize $75 Savings Bond

Margaret Crone, Grade 10, Westhill High School, Stamford, Connecticut

Name Withheld, Cleveland High School, Seattle, Washington

Honorable Mention

Kelly Caravella, Grade 10, Westhill High School, Stamford, Connecticut

Sreyashe Dhar, Grade 10, Farmington High School, Farmington, Connecticut

Lauren Farber, Grade 10, Westhill High School, Stamford, Connecticut

Brittney Felder, Grade 12, Vineland HS South, Vineland, New Jersey

Kelsey Platt, Grade 10, Westhill High School, Stamford, Connecticut

Robert Salem, Grade 10, Westhill High School, Stamford, Connecticut

The High School question was:

The world is comprised of many groups of people. Sometimes, it is hard to differentiate between fact and fiction concerning the history, culture and beliefs of these groups. Misunderstanding can easily flourish when misinformation is already rife, leading to a skewed view that can be difficult to change.

How are different groups (religious, ethnic, racial, socioeconomic, and/or other groups) portrayed in the media? How do you think bias affects the way these groups are covered? If you were the editor of a newspaper or the producer of a news program, what would you do/what steps would you take to ensure objective and balanced reporting?

Please limit your essay to 750 words or less and include examples.

The 2003-2004 Middle School Division Essay Contest Winners:

First Place (2-way tie)

John Bradley, Grade 6, Dolan Middle School, Stamford, CT

Zachary Zingaro, Grade 6, Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, Yorktown Heights, NY

Second Place

Katie Needle, Grade 8, Pine Crest School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL

Honorable Mention

James Carlucci, Grade 6, Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, Yorktown Heights, NY
Denis Casey, Grade 6, Lakeland Copper Beech Middle School, Yorktown Heights, NY
Jesse Goertel,Grade 7, Scofield Magnet Middle School, Stamford, CT
Charlotte O'Herron, Grade 6. New Canaan Country School, New Canaan, Connecticut

Matt Wasserman, Grade 8, Pine Crest School, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Keith Williams, Grade 6, Dolan Middle School, Stamford, CT

The Middle School question was:

Movies, TV programs and music videos often show discrimination and prejudice against a race, religion, ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic or other group of people.

In 600 words or less, please give at least three examples of harmful stereotypes that you think are commonly found in the media. Identify one stereotype that, in your opinion, stands out more than all the others. Describe what you think the effects of viewing this stereotype are on people's behaviors and attitudes (e.g. the way they treat others, the expectations they have). What do you think can be done to reduce the effect of these images in the media?

Prizes: First and second place prizes awarded separately to middle school and high school students.