Essay winners announced

By Tyson Lynn

For the Beacon

In 500 words or less, please review the fourth amendment in light of the President's defense of wiretaps without court approval. Or, instead, write a letter to yourself as an African child with AIDS. Could you do it? Hundreds of middle school students did, but only 12 could be recognized in the tenth annual Linda Jewell Memorial Essay contest.

Started a decade ago by Jewell, then a teacher's assistant at College Place Middle School, the contest has since been named in her honor after her death from cancer in 1999. Judged by members of the Peace Action of Snohomish County, the contest annually calls on students to respond to controversial mainstream questions, including pollution and taxes.

The students' responses tackled all sides of these issues with humor, wit, inquisitiveness, and plain old gumption. In fact, the essays often outline ideas and proposals more concisely and on-point than any random pontificator you might find on your average news channel.

Five first place winners and seven second place winners were picked. First place winners received a certificate and a check for $50, while second place winners received a certificate and a check for $25.

Brier-Terrace Middle School 8th grader Jenna Donohue took second place with her essay on how to stop pollution.

"If every person were to pitch in a little, do something small, or even support a group that helps, we could help to undo some of the damage we have done. We would not only be helping the animals, but be helping each other."

Fellow 8th grader Brandon Lowe, writing as Bandele Maukota from Africa, took first.

"I am 13 years old and live in Francistown, South Africa. I am very sick and the doctors do not have a cure for me. At first, my disease was believed to be tuberculosis, but it changed after the medicine did not make me better. I found out what my sickness really was only two years ago. I have AIDS."

Madrona students Alex Thurber and Kelly Nichols-Hoppe both received second place for their separate essays on the Fourth Amendment.

Thurber writes, "It is important to follow the Constitution because it preserves this country's values of equality and the rights of the common man. If our rights are taken away, even in a small way, we should act."

Nichols-Hoppe follows a similar line of logic: "In spite of the complexity of this issue, I think there is a clear conclusion: Our President has violated the law, our privacy, and the oath he pledged when he was sworn in."

7th grader Ian Palmer took first with his letter from Bastwan Estanty.

"I fear it soon will be too late for me, but maybe if I can convince you, it will be in time for someone else. I am simply asking for some very basic things that you take for granted, but mean survival for me."

Maplewood 8th grader Katie Hamburg earned second place for her essay on Presidential wiretapping.

"By making warrants mandatory at all times, President Bush will not only reinforce the Fourth Amendment, but ensure that any threats to the United States will be more likely to be intercepted and dealt with."

Writing on the same topic, fellow Maplewood student Rachel Spence received first place.

"Wiretapping without a warrant compromises a delicate balance of power in our government. One of the best parts of our democracy is that we have a system of checks and balances. Each of the three branches monitors what the other is doing to make sure no one ends up with too much power."

Meadowdale Middle School had five students who placed in the contest; three with second place finishes, two with first.

8th graders Andy Hu and Olivia Bates, both second place winners, responded to wiretapping within the Fourth Amendment.

Hu writes, "Although we are in a time of war, actions deemed necessary to eliminate or weaken the enemy may not always be appropriate to the situation at hand."

Bates dissents: "Now is the time to learn from our mistakes. Wiretapping is a good idea for preventing attacks."

7th grader Kylie Jordan, the third second place winner, writes as Mentemer, a 12-year-old Ethiopian with AIDS.

"In school, I learned that in 2005, 700,000 children around the world were newly infected with AIDS. 80% of these are African. 90% acquired it from birth or breast-feeding. […] I learned a lot at school."

Fellow 7th grader Taylor Callaway proposes several ideas on how to save the Puget Sound from pollution in his first place finishing essay.

"In my opinion, the State Ecology Department should toughen up on their fines; they should stop giving hundreds of warnings, and start fining the lawbreakers. […] Carpool, ride a bus, get an electric car, or even ride a bike or skateboard!"

The final first place winner, 8th grader Frankel Agyei, addressed President Bush's recent wiretapping actions and his Fourth amendment rights.

"Bush's actions completely go against the Fourth Amendment because he is conducting unreasonable searches without consent from any of the other branches except for a few congressmen. He may have been given the power to prevent the war on terror, but he is causing the war on terror by conducting these illegal wire-taps."

As you can see, age means little when it comes to divisive political issues. These students, and all the students who participated, worked hard to understand, elucidate and argue their point of view, and did so admirably. Congratulations to all the winners and participants, and good luck to everyone next year!

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The Snohomish County Peace Action, who judged this essay contest, works on issues of peace and justice and meets the third Friday of each month at the Edmonds Christian Church.