May 21, 2003
 Winners:
NINTH GRADE
First Place: Anne Whittingham—Essex Community Educational Center
Second Place:  Emma Carmichael—Brattleboro Union High School
Third Place:  Paul Robinson—Stowe High School
Fourth Place:  Denise Limoge—Peoples Academy
Fifth Place:  Matt Blanchard—Mount Anthony Union High School

TENTH GRADE

First Place:  Anna Roberts Gevalt—Champlain Valley Union High School
Second Place:  Clem Wright—Burr & Burton Academy
Third Place:  Joel Eisenkramer—Leland & Gray Union High School
Fourth Place:  Alycia Fayen—Lyndon Institute
Fifth Place:  Lee Helmken—Stowe High School

ELEVENTH GRADE

First Place:  Olin Gay—Blue Mountain Union High School
Second Place:  Britni Gove—Northfield High School
Third Place:  Hannah Rossman—Peoples Academy
Fourth Place:  Emily Hubbard—South Burlington High School
Fifth Place:  Katherine Seaton—Mount Anthony Union High School

TWELFTH GRADE

First Place:  Hillary Pietricola—South Burlington High School
Second Place:  Aisha Mian—Peoples Academy
Third Place:  Nicole Vincent-Roller—South Royalton High School
Fourth Place:  Rebecca Macijeski—Northfield Union High School
Fifth Place:  Shannon Lucy—Mount Anthony Union High School



THANK YOU TO OUR JUDGES;
Sheila Mable:  South Burlington High School
Nancy A. Olson:  Brattleboro Union High School
Jill White:  Missisquoi Valley Union High School
Sarah Terry Johnson:  IDX (former English Teacher)
Dan Miller-Arsenault:  Montpelier High School
Debra Lynde:  Milton High School
Justin Chapman:  Champlain Valley Union High School
Katie Lenox:  Colchester High School
Wayland J. Cole:  Colchester High School
Kent Taylor:  The University of Vermont

TOPIC ONE:


Look at the painting, Sunday Afternoon On The Island Of La Grande Jatte (1884-1886), by Georges Seurat. Then, using your imagination, write a descriptive, thoughtful essay about it.

TOPIC TWO - NINTH GRADE:

Carl Sandburg wrote, "Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent…" Reflect upon Sandburg’s words. Then, in a thoughtful, well-developed essay, discuss how you have and/or how you will spend your coin.

TOPIC TWO - TENTH GRADE:

Someone once said, "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by those special moments that take our breath away." Reflect upon your life thus far. Then, in a thoughtful, well-developed essay, discuss those moments that have taken your breath away.

TOPIC TWO - ELEVENTH GRADE:

William Shakespeare wrote, "It is not in the stars to hold our destiny, but in ourselves…" Reflect upon Shakespeare’s words. Then, in a thoughtful, well-developed essay, discuss the role you believe fate and free will play in your life.

TOPIC TWO - TWELFTH GRADE:

In his poem, "The Road Not Taken," Robert Frost writes,  "…Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— / I took the one less traveled by, / And that has made all the difference." Reflect upon Frost’s words. Then, in a thoughtful, well-developed essay, discuss which road you would choose to travel and why.