Winners announced for Secretary of State’s essay contest

For high school students

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 16, 2017) — Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes recognized winners of her office’s annual essay contest today at Rupp Arena during the Whitaker Bank/KHSAA Boys’ Sweet 16 Basketball Tournament.

Created in 1988, the Secretary of State’s essay contest serves to inspire students to be active and informed citizens, with particular emphasis on election-related issues. High school students are invited to write essays regarding the First Amendment and elections. Entries were judged on research and understanding of voting and the First Amendment, idea development, organization, language and correctness. The University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center judges the anonymous contest entries.

Each winner received a $1,000 cash scholarship made possible by the Office of Secretary of State and its partners, KEA and KEA Retired, the University of Kentucky Scripps Howard First Amendment Center, the Kentucky Department of Education, and Harp Enterprises, Inc.

Winners of the slogan contest, which is open to students in grades 6 through 8, will be announced separately.

Winners:

• 12th grade – James Michnya (Trinity High School, Louisville)
• 11th grade – Olivia Beecham (St. Henry District High School, Erlanger)
• 10th grade – Theodore Ehrenborg (Henry Clay High School, Lexington)
• 9th grade – William Dolan (J. Graham Brown School, Louisville)