First Place Prize: $150 U.S. Savings Bond

Zoey Greco, 9th grade, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut

Honorable Mention-High School Division

Lia Albini, 12th grade, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut

Ankur Bhargava, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut

Christina Centore, West Haven High School, West Haven, Connecticut

Nick Dekker, 9th grade, Central High School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Jace Haestad, 12th grade, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut

Lauren Hefferon, 12th grade, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut

Sam Weinstock, 9th grade, Central High School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

The High School Question was:

In the last year or so, the media has reported on a wide range of events.These include the war in Iraq, the bombings in London and Madrid, Hurricane Katrina, the tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the impact of fundamentalism, same-sex marriage and civil unions, and more local issues.

What do you notice about the kinds of stories that get reported the most?Do you think bias/prejudice plays a role in what does or does not get covered or what is under-reported?Explain.Identify and discuss one or two issues or events that, in your opinion, have been under-reported.Why do you think these issues or events are important and what can be done to improve media coverage?

Please limit your essay to 750 words or less.

First Place: Prize $150 U.S. Savings Bond (tie)

Chelsi Bowler, 8th grade, North Branford Intermediate School, North Branford, Connecticut

Emily Zhang, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Second Place: Prize $75 U.S. Savings Bond

Phillip Huang, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Honorable Mention

Peter Brown, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Stephen Hong, 8th grade, Wooster Middle School, Stratford, Connecticut

Madeline Kratz, 7th grade, MiddleBrook School, Wilton, Connecticut

Von Ying Lee, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Zachariah Pappas-Fernandes, 8th grade, Wooster Middle School, Stratford, Connecticut

Anna Ryan, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Amanda Tu, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

John Joseph Wong, 6th grade, International School of Beijing, Beijing, People's Republic of China

Melissa Zablonski, 7th grade, William Johnston Middle School, Colchester, Connecticut

The Middle School Question was:

Movies and TV programs often show discrimination and prejudice against a race, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, the disabled, 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.

Animated movies and cartoons on TV feature a wide-range of characters. In your opinion, do you think popular cartoons, animated series, or animated films instill prejudice in young minds or combat prejudice?Please cite at least two sources (they can be cartoons, animated films or an animated series) and explain your answer. If TAP were going to publish a list of films and TV programs young people should see, would you want your choices included or excluded?Why or why not?

Please limit your essay to 600 words or less.