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Article published Mar 3, 2009 League's contest winners named
From Staff Reports
The League of Women Voters of Blount County has announced the winners of its annual High School Essay Contest.
The first place award and a $200 U.S. Savings Bond have been given to Jake E. Gill, and the second place award and a $100 U.S. Savings Bond have been given to Callie Blackford. The essay topic for 2008 was "Why is the 2008 Presidential Election so important to America?" There were 154 high school students in Blount County who submitted entries.
"We were pleased that there was so much interest in the essay contest this year," stated contest coordinator Vandy Kemp. "It undoubtedly reflected the national excitement during last fall's election."
Jake is a senior at William Blount High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Gill. His essay was titled "Politics Not as Usual," and he wrote about his views on the significance of four national problems in the 2008 presidential race: national health care, the economy, the war in Iraq, and alternative energy sources.
"America is still looked up to as a country of enormous opportunities, but its star is fading fast. It is for this reason that the man elected president on Nov. 5, 2008 must have a commitment to the American people to help the United States rise up once again and be the undisputed leader of the free world," wrote Jake.Callie is a senior at Alcoa High School and the daughter of Dr. J.T. Blackford and Dr. LeeAnn Blackford. Callie wrote about the many circumstances that made the 2008 Presidential Election one of the most significant in history.
Callie wrote, "Though one man (or woman) cannot be held responsible for the entire country, the President is typically held accountable for the actions of the United States. Americans are responsible for electing the best person to stimulate the economy, manage the war in Iraq, and be a moral and ethical leader to handle the issues facing the United States."
The mission of the League of Women Voters of Blount County includes educational aims, encouraging "people to engage fully in the political process." Kemp stated that the essay contest is a way to stimulate high school students in Blount County "to think and write about democratic principles as they prepare to become voters and possibly candidates in the future."