By Merritt Frey, Executive Director
There was a huge flurry of submissions on the very last day of the Make the Case for Caring Contest! This is our first annual contest, focused on encouraging high school students to think critically yet compassionately about international issues. So far, we LOVE this look inside the minds of our future leaders.
“This year’s essay was topic: Why should an average person in the United States invest in educating children in a far-off country like Mali...what is in it for us?”
This contest asks students to build a creative, persuasive argument for engagement in a country like Mali -- far from students' homes and daily concerns. This year's essay was topic: Why should an average person in the United States invest in educating children in a far-off country like Mali...what is in it for us?
We were surprised to see that 43% of our essays came from the 9th graders -- perhaps these smart kids are getting a head start on their college applications by participating? We were glad to see we received essays from all around the U.S., but surprised to see only 1 essay from our "home" state of Utah!
Essays are now with initial reviewers, who will help us identify the finalist essays. Those finalists will be sent to our four judges: Judy Fahys, KUER; Ashley Kewish, KSL TV; Cathy Reese Newton, Salt Lake Tribune; and Matt Sanders, Utah State University.
Winners will be announced in May. Good luck to all of our essayists!
