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WUIS’ This I Believe Essay Contest for High Schools
Sangamon County 2008
In partnership with:
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 WUIS
Podcasts at iTunes
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WUIS again 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 2007 semester, area high schools
used the This I Believe high school curriculum in their English
classes.
 In January, a judging panel met to read more than 90 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 February 4 through February 15, weekdays at 7:55a and 4:45p.
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Week One: February 4 - February 8, 2008 |
Week Two >>> |
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Monday, February 4, 2008
Melanie Cornell
Springfield High School
For me, the moment of glory in our friendship was when I walked into his classroom... I heard him say, “That’s Melanie. She’s my friend.” I was beaming.
Listen to Melanie's essay
Read Melanie's essay |
![Melanie Cornell]()
Melanie Cornell - a senior at Springfield High School.
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Melanie is a Senior at Springfield High School. |
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Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Claudio Borges-Neto
Springfield High School
"In this way, math promotes friendships and teamwork. No other school subject is able to involve effectively so many people."
Listen to Claudio's essay
Read Claudio's essay
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Senior Claudio Borges-Neto reading his essay.
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Claudio is a senior at Springfield High School. |
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Julia
Christensen
Springfield High School
“I carefully arranged them into a circle, making my own little hideaway to where no one spoke of death or loss.”
Listen to Juia's essay.
Read Juia's essay.
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Senior Julia Christensen reading her essay.
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To be completely honest, I have no idea why I chose this topic. After work one evening I sat down at my computer to write my essay and this topic began effortlessly flowing out. In looking back at my pieces of work that I am most proud of, I have realized that the best things I do are the ones that come naturally. I think Bob would be proud.
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Thursday, February 7, 2008
Jasmyn
McKenna
Springfield High School
“...to be lazy is to be happy.”
Listen to Jasmyn's essay.
Read Jasmyn's essay.
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Senior Jasmyn McKenna
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We had to write a "This I Believe" essay as an assignment in English class and then choose if we want to turn it in to the contest. While the class was listening to the recordings from previous winners, I went through some topics in my head. None of them seemed to be good ideas. When I tried to write them down on paper, it only took one or two sentences for me to become bored of them. My writing abilities seemed to be failing me. One day, I was staring at a blank piece of lined paper when I finally thought, "This is insane. I just want to go to bed and sleep." That is when the idea sparked. Something I've believed in a great deal of my life popped into my head. I was going to write about being lazy. My friends asked me if I was really going to write a paper about laziness and turn it in with the other, more meaningful essays. They all exploded into laughter when I uttered a defiant "Yes." The paper was surprisingly easy to create. It only took me one hour to write the rough draft. After the assignment was turned in, I figured it wouldn't be a bad idea to enter the contest. Why not? The essay was already written. The day I found out I won, I couldn't help but laugh.
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Friday, February 8, 2008
Sharon Kim
Springfield High School
“It has taken me most of my life to appreciate the way I was raised, but I have learned to embraced my culture and traditions, no matter how strange or different they are from my friends.”
Listen to Sharon's essay
Read Sharon's essay.
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![Sharon Kim]()
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When I was given this assignment, I immediately knew what to write. I have often seen kids who were of a different race neglect their cultures because they were either embarassed or indifferent. It was quite a sad sight to see, and it had a profound affect on my perspectives and ideals. I chose this topic because it is something that everyone eventually struggles with, whether it is their culture, heritage, or even family traditions. I am hoping those kids could relate to my essay and feel comfort in knowing that their not alone in their struggle to accept their culture as part of who they are. I know that it is difficult to be proud of one's heritage and culture when it collides with trying to adjust in American society. I especially wanted to write this essay for my parents, as a 'thank you' for all of their love and nuture they bestowed upon me and for not giving up on me when I used to complain about why we had to eat rice every day. |
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