WASHINGTON, D.C. -- On June 21, the United States Institute of Peace announced the first, second, and third-place national winners in the Institute's thirteenth annual National Peace Essay Contest. Winning recognition among entries received from more than 1,200 students from across the United States, including Puerto Rico and American high school students studying overseas, first place was awarded this year to Ms. Elspeth J. Simpson from Little Rock, Arkansas (who was unable to attend due to a prior commitment), second-place to Ms. Megan Corrarino from Portland, Oregon, and third-place to Ms. Erin Boeke Burke from Neenah, Wisconsin. An honorable mention was also awarded to Mr. Michael Henry from Windsor, Connecticut.

Selected by Institute's Board of Directors, the national winners will receive scholarships in the amounts of $10,000, $5,000, and $2,500 respectively. This year students were asked to write an essay in under 1,500 words assessing how U.S. policymakers can address the changing nature of international conflict.

Commenting on the winning essays, Dr. Richard H. Solomon, president of the United States Institute of Peace noted, "I continue to be highly impressed with the insight and eloquence of our country's young people on these issues of international importance."

The national awards were announced at a special banquet held June 21 at the Meridian International Center, the concluding event in an intensive five-day working tour of Washington organized by the Institute for the essay contest winners. The keynote speaker was Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson, who shared his insights on negotiation and diplomacy; the students were also addressed by Institute Senior Fellow Princeton Lyman, former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa. The students, each of whom garnered a $1,000 scholarship for taking top honors in their respective states, participated in a unique program designed to promote understanding of the nature and processes of international peacemaking during their week in Washington.

The United States Institute of Peace is an independent organization created and funded by Congress to promote research, education, and training on the resolution of international conflicts. The National Peace Essay Contest is one of the Institute's oldest continuing activities, designed to promote civic education on issues of international peace and conflict resolution.

1999-2000 NPEC National Winners

First Place
Elspeth J. Simpson
Pulaski Academy
Little Rock, Arkansas
Coordinator: Ms. Ginger Kidd and Mr. William J. Topich

"Promoting Global and Regional Security in the Post-Cold War World"

Simpson's winning essay examined the difficulty in balancing strategic security and humanitarian concerns in U.S. foreign policy. In describing the lessons from recent U.S. policies towards Colombia and North Korea, Simpson commented:

"… human rights and humanitarian aid, are important, but if they jeopardize the long-term promotion of security and stability, they must be put aside. There is a lesson to be learned from U.S. intervention in Colombia and North Korea. Listen to the people, but never lose sight of your goals."

Elspeth Simpson was unable to
attend due to a prior commitment.

Second Place
Megan E. Corrarino
Sunset High School
Portland, OR
Coordinator: Mr. Amit Kobrowski

"The U.S. Response to the Changing Nature of International Conflict"

Corrarino's winning essay examined the criteria needed to determine how and when the United States should intervene in international crises in the post-Cold War world. In describing the lessons learned from U.S. interventions in Haiti and Kosovo, Corrarino observed:

"Called to wage war, called to avert war, called to aid in times of crisis… United States policymakers must analyze each situation to develop unique and culturally appropriate solutions… . As an economic and political leader in the new world order, the United States must be willing to lead with a clear, consistent foreign policy in the twenty-first century."

USIP President Richard Solomon and Megan Corrarino
at the Awards Banquet

Kwassui High School

Nagasaki, Japan

Coordinator: Ms. Lee Boeke Burke

"Seeking Lasting Solutions for Civil Conflict"

Burke's winning essay examined the need for the U.S. to pursue strategies that encourage long-term respect for international human rights and economic development in American conflict policy. In describing the lessons learned from recent conflicts in Rwanda and East Timor, Burke commented:

"It isn't necessary for America to lead every peacekeeping mission, but it should find other ways to assist during periods of 'intervention fatigue.' Eventually, it will be necessary to escape the ghosts of the 18 soldiers in Mogadishu."

USIP President Richard Solomon and Erin Boeke Burke
at the Awards Banquet

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

"National Interest and Morality: The United States Must Find a Happy Medium"

Henry's winning essay examined the importance of balancing morality and national interest in the formulation of American foreign policy. In describing the lessons learned from U.S. involvement in Rwanda and the Persian Gulf, Henry noted:

"In the future, the United States should arrange its foreign policy goals in a manner that caters to its national interests while facilitating the propagation of its moral foundations... . National security and economic stability simply must come before a nation asserts its moral ascendancy, for a nation that cannot manage its own affairs is surely not fit to meddle in another's."

USIP President Richard Solomon and Michael Henry
at the Awards Banquet