in Seventh Annual Legislative Essay Scholarship Contest

(Dover, DE.)  Earlier today, Lieutenant Governor John C. Carney, Jr., Secretary of Education Valerie A. Woodruff, former Representative Wayne A. Smith (R-Brandywine Hundred-North) and representatives from the Delaware Higher Education Commission (DHEC) joined legislators and education officials in congratulating the efforts of three outstanding high school seniors who have been selected as Delaware’s top winners in the seventh annual Legislative Essay Scholarship Contest.

Courtney K. Keitel, a high school senior at Dover High School, captured first place and a $10,000 scholarship for her essay on this year’s theme: “The Declaration of Independence states that ‘all men are created equal.’ How true was this concept then and is it true today? ” Second place went to Joshua A. Marks, currently attending Brandywine High School in Wilmington.  For his runner-up effort, Joshua received a $7,500 scholarship, while Theresa M. Brock from William Penn High School in New Castle, came in third place and received a $5,000 scholarship.  The three seniors also received an additional $1,000 scholarship from their respective legislative districts. 
           
“For the past seven years, we have seen some excellent essays,” said Secretary Woodruff.  “This year, 202 essays were submitted by public, non public and homeschool seniors across the state.  Today, we honor these three public high school seniors for their extraordinary writing achievements.   I congratulate Courtney, Joshua, and Theresa and wish each of them 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 Scholarship to help commemorate the 200th anniversary of George Washington's death.  The scholarship was authorized for only one year and students had to write a 500-2000 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. The essay topic changes annually and focuses on events,

people, philosophies, technologies, governments, or ideals in American history from approximately 1770 to 1860. Previous topics have included Frederick Douglass, James Madison, Abigail Adams, the Lewis and Clark Expedition (The Corps of Discovery), Alexander Hamilton, and Benjamin Franklin.

A committee comprised of representatives from the Delaware Sons of the American Revolution, the Delaware Society of the 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 winner’s essay is forwarded to a statewide judging committee for selection of the top three essays.

Excerpts from each of this year’s winning essays are as follows:

• From Courtney: “If ever there was a phrase parroted throughout United States history, there is one that no person shall ever forget – “all men are created equal”, as ambiguous and open to interpretation as any of the succinct and poignant words of the Founding Fathers.  In the ideal world, there would be no prejudice; no balking at differences in race, color or creed, where all people would be naturally relegated to a level of sameness, equality at its purest.  When Thomas Jefferson first penned those words in the Declaration of Independence, he and the rest of the founding fathers did not pause to consider the ramifications of such an elegant simple statement, nor its inherent complexities that their successors could barely begin to unravel.”

• From Joshua: “In 1776, the British colonies in North America were trying to emerge as a new nation by throwing off the yoke of British rule.  The events leading up to the creation of the Declaration of independence were fraught with conflicts between the British and the thirteen colonies.  The declaration, an embodiment of [John] Locke’s principles promised life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all.  A quick glance, even an askance one, belied that statement.”

• From Theresa:  “The Declaration of Independence…is the document that started it all.  Ever since that formal declaration of separation from Great Britain was issued. Americans have united under common ideals and have defined themselves as a people separate from Europe.  In one of the most memorable lines of the Declaration, Thomas Jefferson expressed the professed core beliefs of the founding fathers: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”  This statement, however grand and true in concept, was less accurate in practice.”

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