By Scott L. Miley, Herald Bulletin Associate Features Editor
ANDERSON — Three young girls were so inspired by three prominent black women that they wrote about them and won the annual Ike Weatherly Jr. Black History Essay Contest.
The winners are:
-- Kiley Lewis, Liberty Christian Elementary, a fifth-grader in Laura Freeman’s class. She wrote about Ruby Bridges.
-- Sara Wire, a fifth-grader at Liberty Christian School also in Laura Freeman’s class. She wrote about gospel singer Mandisa.
-- Avery Hanauer, a fourth-grader at Valley Grove Elementary School in Donald Gniffke’s class. She wrote about quilt maker Faith Ringgold.
Each essay reflected a desire for the students to learn more about black history, a key ingredient in the contest that honors the longtime Anderson youth and civil leader who died in June 2000.
“The purpose of this contest is two-fold. One is to encourage students to do additional research on contributions of both past and present African-American role models,” said Kevin A. Sulc, co-chairman of the 2010 Ike Weatherly Essay Contest Committee.
“Secondly, this contest helps the students develop their written communication skills. For the winners, they have the additional opportunity to develop their verbal skills by being on the radio. By doing these things, it is our hope that many students are inspired by what they learn and this experience will motivate the students to follow the steps of so many local and national leaders.”
For each student, the essay grew from previous interest in a particular subject.
Avery Hanauer, 10, remembers her mother making quilts and showing them in Avery’s classroom. She is the daughter of Kent and Stephanie Hanauer.
So Avery wrote about Faith Ringgold, known for painted story quilts.
“I like a lot of art things and I like how it’s a challenge sometimes,” Avery said. “Something I liked about Faith Ringgold was as a kid she had asthma and couldn’t play with kids most of the time. I like that that didn’t stop her from making quilts.”
Kiley Lewis, 11, recalled a book that a teacher once read to her about Ruby Bridges, who in 1960 was the first black student at an all-white school in New Orleans.
“She just really fascinated me,” said Kiley, the daughter of Kelly Hall and Gordon Lewis.
Sara Wire, 10, was moved to write about Mandisa after her mother played a CD by the Christian singer.
“I just really liked her and she inspired me to do a bunch of stuff.”
Sara, the daughter of Don and Angelia Wire, has started to write the lyrics of her own song.
“I haven’t had the time to completely write it because I have to take care of my dogs and clean the turtle cage.”
The three students are scheduled to read their essays on the WHBU (1240 AM) morning show on Friday, Feb. 26.
Each of the three winners will receive a $100 Savings Bond courtesy of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Commission; a Webster Collegiate Dictionary courtesy of Mr. and Mrs. Leland Franklin; a U.S. Flag courtesy of U.S. Representative Mike Pence; certificates of merit from Pence and Anderson Mayor Kris Ockomon; a trophy plaque, and a keepsake book for photos and certificates.
Their classrooms will have a milk and cookie party with milk provided by Prairie Farms and cookies courtesy of Rev. Floyd Edwards; a trophy plaque for the school to display; $100 for classroom needs, and $100 for the school’s activity fund.
Each essay writer will receive a participation ribbon. Those receiving honorable mention awards will receive a certificate of merit.
“We structure the contest so that there are three winners and as many honorable mentions as are appropriate,” said contest commission member Kathleen Flemming. “It is our strong belief that even though there are true standouts, every child that participates is a winner because they have learned to question and to search for an answer.”
