National Peace Essay Contest Winners Biographies

These are biographies of the state-level winners (listed by state) in the thirteenth annual National Peace Essay Contest sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace. These state-level winners have received a $1,000 college scholarship, and will compete for national awards of up to $10,000.

More than 3,000 students across the United States, the District of Columbia, U.S. territories, and American high schools overseas participated in this year's contest, writing essays about the United States' response to the changing nature of international conflict.

All of the winners have been invited to represent their states in a special program for state-level winners of the Institute's essay contest in Washington, DC, June 17-22.

You can follow the students on their unique learning adventure in Washington D.C. by checking this web site for daily updates.

Please click here for more information about the National Peace Essay Contest.

Alabama-Kentucky | Louisiana-Oklahoma | Oregon-Wyoming

Alabama
Crystal Fortenberry
Mountain View Baptist School
Pinson, AL
Coordinator: Mr. Thad Endicott

Crystal is a senior at Mountainview Baptist School. Her hobbies include reading, cooking, sewing, and public speaking. She plays three musical instruments -- organ, piano, and clarinet. She has won national awards in home economics as well as awards in organ and Bible. She is the Alabama winner for the Sons of American Revolution oratorical contest and will compete nationally this summer. Crystal plans to study piano pedagogy at Ambassador Baptist College.

Alaska
Lorenzo Harris
Ben Eielson High School
North Pole, AK
Coordinator: Ms. Elizabeth Hursh

[bio not available]

Arizona
Leslie Zuniga
International Studies Academy
Surprise, AZ
Coordinator: Mr. Dion A.B. Labadie

Leslie will be a sophomore at the International Studies Academy this fall. She is involved with the Student Council and is a reporter for the school newspaper. Leslie loves to read, swim and play strategy computer games. She has lived in Arizona for two years. Before moving to Arizona, Leslie was in Germany for four years and lived in California. Next year, Leslie hopes to join the yearbook committee and be a model United Nations chairperson at her school.

Arkansas
Elspeth Simpson
Pulaski Academy
Little Rock, AR
Coordinators: Ms. Ginger Kidd & Mr. Bill Topich

[bio not available]






 

California
Megan Havstad
Davis Senior High School
Davis, CA
Coordinator: Ms. Melody Simonton

Megan is a sophomore at Davis High School in Central California, where she lives with her parents and two sisters. She swims competitively with both the Varsity Girls High School team and the Davis Aquadarts. Megan loves to travel, has visited France and Mexico and has lived in Guatemala and South Africa. She plans to study international relations. In her spare time, Megan likes to read and cook gourmet meals.

Colorado
Jessica Beckwith
Independent Entry
Denver, CO

Jessica is from Denver, CO. She has been co-president of her school's chapter of Amnesty International, as well as being a member of the Spanish Honor Society and National Honor Society. Outside of school, she loves to play soccer and hike. She has volunteered for Denver Kids, Inc. and a couple other organizations working with children. Jessica will be attending Grinnell College next year, and has not yet decided on a course of study.

Connecticut
Michael Henry
Windsor High School
Windsor, CT
Coordinator: Ms. Diane Van Ausdall

Michael Henry is a graduating senior at Windsor High School in Windsor, CT. He will attend Ithaca College in the fall on a full academic scholarship in the field of journalism. His interests include writing, thinking, daydreaming, playing baseball, and Trivial Pursuit. At Windsor High, he is a member of the National Honor Society, co-president of the French Honor Society, Student Council chairman, "As Schools Match Wits" quiz bowl team member, Yearbook senior section editor, Newspaper copy editor, and he actively participates in the Community Service Committee. Michael's goals for the future are to profoundly influence society with his writing and to leave a positive and lasting mark on the world before he goes.

Delaware
Shyam Kulkarni
Brandywine High School
Wilmington, DE
Coordinator: Mr. David Ruth

Shyam is a senior at Brandywine High School in Delaware. He was a forward on the varsity soccer team, as well as a soccer coach for U-ten year old girls at the YMCA. He has participated in the Harvard and University of Pennsylvania Model United Nations conferences as well as the YMCA Youth in Government. In fact, Shyam takes pride in the fact that a bill he wrote on funding for school libraries in the mock legislature impacted a similar bill in the real legislature. Shyam also plays the drums. Lastly, he writes short stories and poetry hopes to eventually make a career out of it. This fall he will be attending the University of Delaware to major in Biochemistry.

Florida
Jennifer Fortner
Palm Harbor University High School
Ozona, FL
Coordinator: Mr. Michael Burkett

Jennifer is a senior graduating from the International Baccalaureate program at Palm Harbor University High School in Palm Harbor, Florida. Next year she plans to attend the University of Virginia to study foreign affairs. She is a member of the National Honor Society, Model United Nations, and secretary/historian of both the French Club and the French Honor Society at her school. Jennifer volunteers at the Palm Harbor Historical Museum, Unity Church of Palm Harbor, and the Ozona Wildlife Preserve. Her hobbies include horseback riding and travel, especially travel in Europe.

Georgia
Rachel Rothstein
New Atlanta Jewish Community High School
Norcross, GA
Coordinator: Ms. Bernadette May

Rachel attends the New Atlanta Jewish Community High School. In addition to playing three varsity sports, Rachel is Student Government President and Co-editor of the school newspaper. Outside of school, Rachel enjoys shopping, traveling, and hanging out with her friends. Last summer Rachel traveled to Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Cypress, and Israel. This summer she will work as a lifeguard. In the fall, Rachel will attend the University of Georgia.

Hawaii
Jessica Chung
Hawaii Baptist Academy
Burbank, HI
Coordinator: Ms. Diane Hom

Jessica is the daughter of David and Valerie Chung of Honolulu, Hawaii and a graduate of Hawaii Baptist Academy. She has volunteered at several preschools and was involved in Shekinah (a Christian sign language and drama group) and the National Honor Society. This fall, she will be attending Colorado Christian University, majoring in English. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys reading, writing, hanging out with her friends, and going to the beach.

Idaho
Eli Hansen
Madison High School High School
Rexburg, ID
Coordinator: Mr. James Haeberle

Elijah Hansen is a Senior at Madison High School High School. Elijah loves to play the guitar, play the piano, sing and has traveled to Europe several times. He was a member of the Idaho All-State Choir for 1999-2000 and his hobbies include building electronic circuits, tennis, and baseball. Elijah is interested in studying either electrical engineering or international relations in college.

Illinois
Sean Thomas Williams
St. Ignatius College Prep
Chicago, IL
Coordinator: Ms. Diane Haleas

[bio not available]






 

Indiana
John Aberle
Noblesville High School
Noblesville, IN
Coordinator: Mr. Bruce Hitchcock

[bio not available]






 

Iowa
Marcella Johnston
South Hamilton Community Schools
Jewell, IA
Coordinator: Mr. Richard A. Steffen

Marcella is the daughter of David and Angel Johnston of Jewell, Iowa. Marcella has enjoyed participating in cheerleading, chorus, and speech. She has also been very active in her family's business, Jewell Orchids. One of her most memorable experiences was the mission trip she took to Guatemala with her church youth group. Next fall, Marcella will be attending Northwestern College in St. Paul, Minnesota, majoring in International Business and minoring in Spanish.

Kansas
Amy Marie Biggs
St. Thomas Aquinas High School
Overland Park, KS
Coordinator: Ms. Gail Prieb

Amy recently graduated from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. She was co-editor of her high school yearbook and just finished adding the final touches. This summer she is working forty hours a week as a bank teller. Even though she does not play sports, she loves football and enjoys jogging. Amy is looking forward to attending Kansas State University in the fall and will be majoring in health sciences.

Kentucky
Madeleine Dwertman
Holmes Senior High School
Park Hills, KY
Coordinator: Mr. Stephen D'Adamo

[bio not available]