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20042005 Essay Contest Information |
Winner's Bios
OH |
OK |
OR |
PA |
PR (Other U.S. Territories) |
RI |
SC |
SD |
TN |
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UT |
VT |
VA |
WA |
WV |
WI |
WY |
OhioMs. Jacqueline Grassi "The Conditions and the Conduct: Jus Ad Bellum and Jus In Bello in the Vietnam War and the War on Terrorism" Hawken School Kirtland, OH Coordinator: Mr. Peter Golding Jacqueline is a senior at Hawken School in Gates Mill, Ohio, where she is a representative of the Academic Integrity Committee, writer and photographer for the art/lit. magazine, reporter for the newspaper, and student tutor. She was nominated to the "Look Up to Cleveland" student leadership program for her work in chairing Harvest for Hunger. She also enjoys playing varsity lacrosse and tennis. Jacqueline will attend Duke University in the fall of 2003, where she plans to study public policy. [ Back to top ] Sarah Singletary resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she is a sophomore at Jenks High School. She is a participant in National Honor Society, the literary anthology, Drug Free Youth, and Student Council. French class is a highlight of her day; she has even been known to practice verb conjugations in her spare time. She credits her involvement in speech & debate as an invaluable source for critical thinking and self -assurance. Serving as a page in the state House of Representatives has given her not only an interactive view of a functioning government, but also the opportunity to meet dedicated students from around the state. Outside of school, ballet has been an integral component of her life since she began weekly lessons in preschool. For several years, she has volunteered at the public library, a prime environment for an avid reader, and currently sits on the library's teen advisory committee. She is a correspondent for Tulsa World's Satellite, the student page of the local newspaper. She has received several honors for writing, including recognition for National History Day, Scholastic Writing Competition, and Oklahoma Interscholastic Press Association. In addition to reading, writing, and dancing, Sarah fills her time with way too much homework and excruciating attempts at self-taught piano lessons. [ Back to top ] Kent was born in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Portland, Oregon, in 1990 on his fifth birthday. He has attended Oregon Episcopal School since kindergarten, and will graduate on June 6th, 2003 as a Cum Laude Society inductee. During elementary school, Kent played club soccer and recreational baseball and basketball. Kent went on to play lacrosse throughout middle and high school. He participated in the Northwest Science Expo during all four years of high school, with projects ranging from the replication of square craters found on the asteroid 433 Eros to the building of a cosmic ray muon detector. He has also volunteered regularly at the Oregon Association for Children with Learning Disabilities since his sophomore year, helping with web page design, public relations work, and moving office locations. Kent travels to Japan every summer to see his father and grandparents, usually staying for at least one or two months. He will attend the University of Southern California next fall as a Presidential Scholar. [ Back to top ] Mira Shastry is currently a junior at Freedom High School, in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Bethlehem is a fairly suburban area, juxtaposed to the major urban center Allentown. After high school, Mira plans on attending a four-year college to study political science and business. After college, Mira plans on entering either law school or business school; she is still unsure. Within her community, Mira has volunteered at Miller Memorial Blood Center and the Trinity Soup Kitchen. Mira also plays the French Horn in the Young People's Philharmonic, a community orchestra for selected high school students. She is involved in several organizations within her school including the debate team, Science Olympiad team, band, orchestra, field hockey team, and DECA. Within the past year, she has participated in the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association District 10 Band festival, has won first place in the event of General Marketing Research at the DECA (Delta Epsilon Chi Association) state conference, and has been accepted into the Pennsylvania Governor's School of International Studies, which she will be attending this summer. [ Back to top ] Kaitlin, an honor student at St. Mary Academy currently resides in the suburban city of Cranston, Rhode Isalnd. Pursuing her love of politics and law, Kaitlin was a top scorer for her Mock Trial team as well as a past bill author for the school's Model Legislature Club. In addition, she has been an active member of Student Council for the past two years and was recently inducted into the National Honor Society. Standing tall at an impressive six feet, Kaitlin plays basketball in her city's league and is a thrower on her school's outdoor track and field team. She works within her community by her membership in Peer Ministry, her involvement in her Church as an altar server, and by participating in various service opportunities. After high school, Kaitlin plans to study in Washington, D.C., and major in a field related to politics. [ Back to top ] Maura lives in Beaufort, South Carolina, where she attends Beaufort High School. Maura's activities and community involvement include the Interact Service Club, National Spanish Honor Society, National Honor Society, International Thespian Society, varsity cross-country, Beaufort High School theatrical productions, and an officer position of the drama club. She has received special recognition for honor roll, first place in physics at the Sea Island Science Fair, and she was nominated for president of the drama club for the 2003-2004 school year. When she finishes high school, she plans to study engineering in college. [ Back to top ] Collette was born in Rockville, Maryland, and has lived in Rapid City, South Dakota, for seven years. She attends St. Thomas More High School, where she has participated in several activities, including Odyssey of the Mind, T.O.R.C.H., National Honor Society, drama, Knowledge Bowl, band, volleyball and cross-country. She has also held student council and class offices all through high school, notably serving as student body Vice President her senior year. Additionally, Collette has been involved in community activities such as Venture Crew, a church-organized service/outdoor group, and Relay for Life, a fundraising event for cancer research. Collette has received several awards for endeavors, has lettered in drama, Knowledge Bowl, and band, and has had her poetry published in a school anthology. In the fall of 2003, Collette will begin college at the University of South Dakota, where she tentatively intends to study journalism. [ Back to top ] Elizabeth lives in Kingsport, Tennessee, where she is a freshman at Dobyns-Bennett High School. She is involved in Model United Nations and Junior Statesmen of America, which help to promote political awareness in youth. She is also involved in Mu Alpha Theta, a competitive math club, and Science Olympiad, a competitive science team. Elizabeth plays tennis and is about to start horseback riding lessons. She also plays the flute and avidly listens to all kinds of music. In her community, she has volunteered in nursing homes, and this summer, she will be helping at a hospital. So far, she has received the Kiwanis Club Science award and the Tyrone Kuo Math award. After high school, she plans to major in law in college and become a lawyer. She hopes to help shape U.S. foreign policy in the future. [ Back to top ] Jeff was born in Houston, Texas, on January 17, 1985. After moving back and forth between Houston, Dallas, and Los Angeles, he finally settled in Dallas in 1991. He attended public schools for eight years and began high school at Jesuit College Prep. There, Jeff became active in the golf team and the literary magazine, eventually becoming its editor. During his sophomore year, Jeff became involved in what has become his favorite activity: Amnesty International. He founded his group and has served as president ever since. His favorite subjects are physics and English. Next year, he will attend the University of Chicago, where he intends to study economics or physics. After college, Jeff would like to be a teacher or a researcher in whatever subject he pursues. [ Back to top ] Viviana is a recent graduate of Academia Perpetuo Socorro in Miramar, San Juan, Puerto Rico. She was a staff member of the student newspapers Pitirreando (in Spanish) and Sign Post (in English), where she was a frequent contributor. She was a member of the National Honor Society through her high school years. Viviana was also a student advisor at CreArte, a program offering social skills development and counseling to children and teenagers from distressed communities. She enjoys working in black and white photography. In 2002, she took a course in Literature and Film at the Brown University Summer Program. She was later admitted to Brown, where she will major in community health. [ Back to top ] Brandon Hopkins is from Salt Lake City, Utah, and is a sophomore at the Waterford School in Sandy, Utah. When he finishes high school, he plans to attend college and serve a two-year mission for his church. Brandon is a priest in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and a recipient of the Duty to God Award. He is also an Eagle Scout with ten Palms. Brandon has won several notable awards including First Place in Utah for an historical paper in the Senior Division on Rights and Responsibilities in History; Best of Fair with a Superior rating in his school district; the Grand Award in Mathematics-Senior Division in the Salt Lake Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair; Best of Fair with Superior ratings in his school district and the Grand Award in Botany-Senior Division in the Salt Lake Valley Regional Science and Engineering Fair; and Second Place in the Critical Essay Category of the International "RE: WRITING" Contest sponsored by Brigham Young UniversityÍs English Department. He has had many essays and poems published in his schoolÍs literary magazine, The Wire, and has been invited to be an editor next fall. Brandon enjoys acting, singing, dancing, and art. He played the role of Basilio in his schoolÍs production of CalderonÍs Life is a Dream and performed the role of a homeless mechanic in a University of Utah Theater Department production of YorkÍs Afternoon of the Elves. Brandon sings with the Troubadours, his schoolÍs top singing group. [ Back to top ] Jennifer recently graduated from Champlain Valley Union High School as salutatorian of her class. Her high school activities included Student Council, National Honor Society, and the Madrigal Singers; she also acted as editor of the 2003 Yearbook and as a Student Representative to her school's faculty curriculum committee. Last summer, she practiced her love for music in a Gilbert and Sullivan opera with the Vermont Oriana Singers. Through her participation in the Princeton and Harvard Model Congresses, she developed a keen interest in government and world affairs. Jennifer is an active member of the St. Catherine of Siena parish community, and she volunteers her time in the pediatric ward of Fletcher Allen Hospital. She has recently been named a Presidential Scholar Semifinalist, National Merit Finalist, and the Vermont state finalist in the national AAA High School Travel Challenge. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys reading, running, hiking, and spending time with her family of eight. Jennifer will attend the University of Virginia in the fall as an Echols Scholar to study biology and government, with plans to enter the medical field. [ Back to top ] Suyeon Khim is a Korean junior currently attending The Madeira School, an all-girls boarding school in Virginia. Over vacations, she enjoys taking the train home to see her family in New Jersey. Sue is involved in a number of activities in and out of school, including piano, Model UN, Math Team, theater, student government, Madeira Dance Company, Asian Club, and the Student Leadership Diversity Group. In her spare time, Sue enjoys writing; reading; studying different religions, foreign policy, philosophy, and mathematics; and searching for the elusive meaning of life with the help of her supportive friends. On Wednesdays, as part of her school's co-curriculum program, Sue enjoys interning on Capitol Hill. Sophomore year, she worked as a volunteer teaching English to ESL (English as a Second Language) students at the Harriet Tubman School and Marshall Road Elementary School. Her junior year, she worked for Senator Toricelli of New Jersey before transferring to Texan Representative Chris Bell's office. Though prepared for another eventful year at Madeira, Sue plans to take a memorable year off after high school in the hopes of experiencing life in wholly different environments and cultures, reading classic novels, writing, practicing her French and Korean, playing piano, engaging in self-exploration on road trips, and reuniting with friends in different countries. Sue is an incurable idealist who feels passionate about peace and is optimistic about the prospect that nations may soon make steps in achieving a greater harmony. [ Back to top ] Josh is a 17 year-old honor student in his junior year at Charles Wright Academy, an independent college preparatory school in Tacoma, Washington. He participates in a number of sports, including skiing, rock climbing, mountain biking, backpacking, and kayaking. Josh works part-time at an outdoor recreation store and volunteers at the Olympia Children's Museum. He takes AP classes at his school and is on his school's Knowledge Bowl and cross-country teams, and competed in the state cross-country championships. Josh likes to travel, having recently returned from China. During his spare time, he likes to draw and listen to music. [ Back to top ] Mateusz was born in Warsaw, Poland. He is a junior at a college-preparatory school in Wheeling, West Virginia. He has excelled in math, engineering; and Latin competitions. He is a member of the varsity swim team and the tennis team. Mateusz belongs to the Math Club, Multicultural Club, and is an officer in the Spanish Club and the Classics Club. He is also the co-founder of the Ping-Pong Club. [ Back to top ] Amelia lives in Mequon, Wisconsin, a suburb of Milwaukee. She spent her junior year in Denmark through the Rotary International Youth Exchange, an experience that piqued her interests in international affairs. While in Mequon, Amelia has been on the debate team and has helped run the costumes department for school plays. In addition, she plays piano and has received four gold cups from the National Federation of Music Teachers. Next year, she plans to attend Carlton College in Northfield, Minnesota, and hopes to spend more time abroad. [ Back to top ] Madeline lives in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in the Rocky Mountains near Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, where she is currently a freshman at Jackson Hole High School. She is active in her school choir, which is a competitive choral group that performs for local civic organizations and senior centers. She is also an active member of the Jackson Hole Jewish Community where she has volunteered as a teacher's aide at the Hebrew School and as a junior counselor at an area summer camp. Madeline has a passion for musical theater and has had roles in the community theater and school plays. In addition, she hosted a lunchtime radio show on her high school radio station. Madeline is an honor roll student and recipient of the Presidential Award for Educational Excellence. [ Back to top ] Ryan entered this contest while attending Naples American High School in Naples, Italy. He currently resides in Jacksonville, Florida and is a freshman at Bartram Trail High School. Ryan's interest in international relations is not incidental, since he ultimately wishes to be a politician. Ryan is a Boy Scout of the Life rank, a member of the National Junior Honor Society, and plays the French horn in the concert band. As an eighth grader, he was in the top ten of the National Geography Bee, sponsored by the National Geographic Society. In his spare time, Ryan likes to play chess, Diplomacy, and other strategy games, as well as spend time with friends and play soccer. He has been to fifteen different countries in his extensive travels, including Costa Rica, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Greece. |
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