TAP Proudly Presents
The 2005-2006 Essay Contest Winners!
The High School Division Essay Contest Winners:
Zoey Greco, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut
Lia Albini, 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, Central High School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Jace Haestad, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut
Lauren Hefferon, Chase Collegiate High School, Waterbury, Connecticut
Sam Weinstock, Central High School of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The High School Question:
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, 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?
The Middle School Division Essay Contest Winners:
Chelsi Bowler, North Branford Intermediate School, North Branford, Connecticut
Emily Zhang, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Phillip Huang, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Peter Brown, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Stephen Hong, Wooster Middle School, Stratford, Connecticut
Madeline Kratz, MiddleBrook School, Wilton, Connecticut
Von Ying Lee, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Zachariah Pappas-Fernandes, Wooster Middle School, Stratford, Connecticut
Anna Ryan, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Amanda Tu, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
John Joseph Wong, International School of Beijing, Beijing, China
Melissa Zablonski, William Johnston Middle School, Colchester, Connecticut
The Middle School Question:
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.
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?