About the Fall 2005 AAUW High School Senior Essay Contest

The Bloomington-Normal Branch of AAUW sponsored the Bloomington-Normal high school senior student

essay contest to encourage our young adults to reflect upon issues of equity and diversity that impact their

personal, professional, and civic lives. Bloomington-Normal high school seniors (12 th grade) were eligible to

submit one 500 word essay addressing the importance of promoting equity (women) and/or diversity (multi-

cultural) in one of the following areas:   Civil Rights, Education, Workplace Issues, Health and Personal Safety.

Winners of the Essay Contest

The AAUW Essay Contest Committee (reviewed the 16 essays submitted to the AAUW Essay Contest--15 essays

from Calvary Baptist Academy High School (CBAHS) and 1 essay from University High School (U-High).   After

careful consideration and deliberative discussion, we are delighted to announce the following results:

1st Place Certificate (and a $100 award sponsored by AAUW)

Joseph Leeper (CBAHS), nephew of Pamela Scott of Peoria, Illinois

2nd Place Certificate (and a $80 award sponsored by ISU Physics)

Ashley Albee (CBAHS), daughter of Shelly Albee of Towanda, Illinois

3rd Place Certificate (and a $60 award sponsored by ISU's American Democracy Project)

Heather Matthews (CBAHS), daughter of Rob and Penny Matthews of Bloomington, Illinois

Finalists Certificates

Ryan Eaves (CBAHS), son of Cindy and Bob Eaves of Bloomington, Illinois

(and a $40 award sponsored by ISU Physics)

Benjamin Koester (CBAHS), son of Ken and Tammy Koester of Bloomington, Illinois  

(and a $40 award sponsored by ISU Physics)

Alexandra Weilbacher (U-High), daughter of Julie and Gary Weilbacher

(and a $40 award sponsored   by ISU's American Democracy Project)

Receiving a Certificates of Honorable Mention (all from CBAHS)

Michael Adams, Desiree Frederick, Sarah Horine, Daniel Howerton, Rachel Judd, Dannilyn Lesemann,

Amy Norton, Beth Ryan, Megan Turbett, and Jin Yoo

AAUW BN Branch, the Illinois State University Physics Department, and the Illinois State University American

Democracy Project congratulates all Award Winners and Honorable Mention Honorees .   AAUW presented the

recognition certificates and award checks   at the AAUW Essay Contest Awards Ceremony held November 18,

2005 (7:00pm) at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Bloomington, Illinois.    Students and their parents or guardians,

their teachers, and their family and friends wereinvited to attend.   A small reception followed the award and

honorable mention presentations.

About the Bloomington-Normal Branch of AAUW

The Bloomington-Normal Branch was founded in 1913 (District 2).    AAUW is a nationwide organization of graduates

of regionally accredited United States colleges and universities or foreign institutions recognized by the International

Federation of University Women.  AAUW concerns itself with enhancing the intellectual and cultural life of the

individual; supporting legislation; working to improve education; increasing options and total awareness; securing

equal opportunities; and study, then action.    In principle and practice, AAUW values and seeks a diverse membership.   

There shall be no barriers to full participation in this organization on the basis of gender, race, creed, age, sexual

orientation, national origin, disability, or class.  

                                         The American Association of University Women promotes equity

                                         for all women and girls, lifelong education, and positive societal change.

For more information about this student essay contest and AAUW, visit our Bloomington-Normal Branch AAUW

website at http://www.aauw-il.org/bloom/index.html or contact Grace Foote Johns ( johns@phy.ilstu.edu or 309-438-8758).

page last updated 12/02/05gfj