HS Seniors Net $15,750 in Contest
Three High School Seniors Net $15,750 in Sixth Annual Legislative Essay Scholarship Contest
Dover, Del.– April 28, 2005 Earlier today, Governor Ruth Ann Minner, Secretary of Education, Valerie Woodruff, Representative Wayne A. Smith (R–Brandywine Hundred-North) and Maureen Laffey, Director for the Delaware Higher Education Commission (DHEC) joined legislators, education officials and DHEC representatives in congratulating the efforts of three outstanding high school seniors who have been selected as Delaware’s top winners in the sixth annual Legislative Essay Scholarship Contest.
Natasha Platt, a high school senior at Concord High School in Wilmington, captured first place and a $7,500 scholarshipfor her essay on this year’s theme: “Alexander Hamilton: Architect of American Government.” Second place went to Melissa Baird, currently attending Caesar Rodney High School in Camden-Wyoming. For her runner-up effort, Melissa received a $3,750 scholarship, while Laura Graham, currently attending Brandywine High School in Wilmington,came in third place and received a $2,250 scholarship. The three seniors also received an additional $750 scholarship from their respective legislative districts.
“The Legislative Essay Contest is an extremely competitive process,” said Secretary Woodruff. “This year, 163 essays were submitted by high school seniors across the state, which is more than double the number of essays submitted last year.” Added Woodruff, “I congratulate Natasha, Melissa and Laura as this year’s winners and wish them continued success as they continue their academic journey.”
The contest, open only to high school seniors, began in 1999 and was originally called the George Washington Memorial Scholarshipto help commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington’s death. The scholarship was authorized for only one year and students had to write a 500-2,000 word essay on “Why George Washington Should Be Revered in America.”
In 2000, the General Assembly passed HB 545 as the Legislative Essay Scholarship. Sponsored jointly by Representative Wayne Smith and Senator David P. Sokola (D–8th Senatorial District), the bill authorized the essay contest on an annual basis. Each year a new topic is selected and focuses on events or people in American historyfrom 1770 to 1860. Previous topics have included Frederick Douglass, James Madison, Abigail Adams, and the Lewis and Clark Expedition (The Corps of Discovery).
Representative Wayne A. Smith (R–Brandywine Hundred-North), who authored legislation creating the annual legislative essay contest fund, now in its sixth year, said, “Alexander Hamilton, one of our country’s Founding Fathers and a co-author of the Federalist Papers, played a remarkable role in shaping how our government functions today. Yet, he is hardly known beyond adorning the $10 bill. Arguably the essential public figure in ensuring the survival of our new government, I was pleased that many Delaware seniors will now better understand his critical role in shaping these United States.”
A committee comprised of representatives from the Delaware Sons of the American Revolution, the Delaware Society Daughters of the American Revolution and DHEC choose each year’s topic.
There are 62 district scholarships authorized; one for each of the 21 Senate districts and 41 state representative districts. Once submitted, the district winners’ essay is forwarded to a statewide judging committee for selection of the top three essays.
Excerpts from each essay are as follows:
From Natasha: “Alexander Hamilton fought for the ratification of the Constitution more than any other delegate, despite his disagreement with many of its principles. He knew that under the weak Articles of Confederation, the country would collapse in its infancy. In a concentrated effort, Hamilton authored 52 of the 85 essays in The Federalist, which stands as the first and best defense of the constitution. The essays persuaded New York citizens to vote for ratification, an act that led the national effort. The ratification of the constitution was Hamilton’s hour of victory and his greatest compromise for the common good.”
From Melissa: “Hamilton’s first major political contribution to America concerned his involvement in pushing for ratification of the constitution. This may have seemed contrary to his earlier actions, when he alienated himself at the constitutional conventionby speaking of his radical plan to install an elected monarch. Hamilton’s own state of New York was among the most reluctant to ratify. Hamilton faced powerful and influential objectors like George Mason and Governor Clinton. He needed to convince the masses that the revolutionary act of creating a new government was necessary and beneficial to them.”
From Laura: “Hamilton’s influence and strategic vision could not be more felt today. When American government was in its infancy, Hamilton dreamed that ‘America would become a rich, republican empire that would champion the idea of self-government around the world. And all of the different Americas that could have been imagined more than 200 years ago, this one has come to pass.’ Hamilton worked his entire life to make the United States a wealthy republican empire.In essence, the United States that exists in the present day is the embodiment of Hamiltonianism.”
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Contact Info.
Alison Kepner Delaware Department of Education 401 Federal Street, Suite #2 Dover, Delaware 19901 Phone: (302) 735-4035 Fax: (302) 739-4654 Email: akepner@doe.k12.de.us |
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