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WUIS’ This I Believe Essay Contest for High Schools
Sangamon County 2006-7
In partnership with:
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 WUIS
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WUIS reached out to area high schools this year with an essay contest
designed to capture young adult viewpoints and share them with
wider audience. During the fall 2006 semester, area high schools
used the This I Believe high school curriculum in their English
classes. More than 100 students participated by exploring and
ultimately defining their personal belief.
 In January, a judging panel met to read 57 finalists’
essays and ultimately selected these ten winners, who have recorded
their essays under the supervision of our veteran News Director
Rich Bradley. The winners will also receive $100 from Springfield
Rotary Club Sunrise.
You can hear the essays on 91.9 or 89.3 from January
29 to February 9, weekdays at 7:55a and 4:45p.
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Week Two: February 5 - 9, 2007 |
<<< Back to Week One |
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Monday, February 5
Nick
Murphy
Southeast High School
“I
believe in not taking things for granted.”
Listen to Nick's essay.
Read Nick's essay. |
Nick reads his essay at the awards ceremony at Southeast.
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Nick says that this experience hasn’t changed his spending habits very much.
“We’re not anywhere near as hard up for cash as we used to
be, but the only time that we spend more is on birthdays and
Christmas. I am more careful because I am not used to having
it (money),” he says. Then there are shows such as “My Super
Sweet 16,” which portray young adults as greedy and “disgusting”
in their behavior. “It makes them act like ‘Oh, I want that,’
and I can’t stand spoiled people,” says Nick. As far as being
forced to grow up faster than he needed to, because of such
financial difficulties, he says he did not. “Emphatically,
no. We are a very happy family who supported each other.”
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Tuesday, February 6
Caitlyn
Barnes
Southeast High School
“I
believe in the hypocrisy of our education system, and I challenge
the system to change.”
Listen
to Caitlyn's essay
Read Caitlyn's essay.
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Caitlyn in the WUIS studios..
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Caitlyn says that she recognized a lack of educational progress in reading levels
when she was in high school. She says that since there were
more classes offered, there was more of an opportunity to
have exposure to the problem. As far as the world changing,
“I’m not sure when it will, because it seems to keep following
the same pattern, but it has to change one way or another.”
She says that in order to take the first step in solving
this issue, there needs to be more plain old books and an
emphasis on reading, as “there is too much emphasis on technology.”
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Wednesday, February 7
Sam
Schoenburg
Springfield High School
“I
believe in family.”
Listen to Sam's essay.
Read Sam's essay.
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Sam in the WUIS studios.
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Sam says that it was fairly easy to write this essay because, for several months,
he had known about his mother’s illness and thought about
using this topic when it was time to write this essay. “It
only took me about 30-40 minutes to write, and then I showed
my parents as soon as I was finished with it.” Sam believes
that some kids and teenagers today take time with their families
for granted. “It’s so easy to lose track of the relationships
with your family, and it would be different if people just
made the effort.”
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Thursday, February 8
Krista
Walbert
Southeast High School
“I
believe that no matter what the circumstances, one can find
beauty, happiness and even inspiration in almost any situation.”
Listen to Krista's essay.
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Kristain the WUIS studios.
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Krista says that people’s perception of those that are homeless doesn’t usually
include happiness. “People don’t always realize that those
less fortunate can live in that particular way.” She says
that even though there was always the saying “money can’t
buy happiness,” she didn’t think of it in this way. “People
don’t really see it applied to real life situations.” Krista
says that even though times can get really rough, you shouldn’t
focus on the things that don’t really matter, and always
remind yourself of what does.
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Friday, February 9
McKenna
Blair
Lanphier High School
“I
believe you do not have to be an adult to make a difference
in this world.”
Listen to McKenna's essay.
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McKenna records her essay at the WUIS studios.
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McKenna says she will continue to serve as a volunteer on future missions to
other countries such as China, Mexico, Cuba, Costa Rica,
Nicaragua, and anywhere else that is in need of further community
development. She also plans to re-visit Rosa in El Salvador
within the next two years. In the meantime, she plans to
send Rosa a copy of her recorded essay. |
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