February 6, 2009: The winning essays have been announced! Read the press release.

Top 25 Finalists

Click on each student's name to read his/her essay.

Rosina Anwar, Howe Elementary School – Pittsburgh, PA
Haley Black, Weedsport Elementary School – Weedsport, NY
Gabrielle Bolen, Spotsylvania Middle School – Spotsylvania, VA
Joshua Breauchy, Binks Forest Elementary School – Wellington, FL ♦
Allie Buckmaster, St. George’s Independent Schools – Collierville, TN
Morgane Butler, Saint Bernard School – Uncasville, CT *
Jordan Chwalik, Voyager Academy – Durham, NC ♦
Madie Ruth Crook, Northside Intermediate School – Opelika, AL
Jessica Dauer, William Street School – Lancaster, NY *
Heather Evans, Hickory County R-1 School – Urbana, MO *
Kelsey Hofman, Pella Christian Grade School – Pella, IA
Leilani Lacey, Grass Lake Elementary School – Kent, WA * ♦
Bella Lenz, Yahara Elementary School – Stoughton, WI
Marlena Maura, Jefferson Elementary School – Rotterdam, NY ♦
Monica Mazurek, Holmes Junior High School – Mt. Prospect, IL ♦
Elizabeth McCanna, Cherry Valley Elementary School – Newark, OH *
Riley McGowan, Rose Tree Elementary School – Media, PA * ♦
Jocelyn Meyers, Warwick Elementary School – Secretary, MD *
Yaseen Najeeb, University School of Milwaukee – Milwaukee, WI * ♦
Bryant Parnell, Marion Intermediate School – Marion, AR * ♦
Madeline Payment, Grass Lake Elementary School – Kent, WA ♦
Merry Pham, Iva Meairs Elementary School – Garden Grove, CA
Brendan Record, Hillview Intermediate Center – Grove City, PA
Shruthi Vaidyaselvan, Ranney School – Tinton Falls, NJ ♦
Quinn Whitlock, Adairsville Elementary School – Adairsville, GA *

* These students are the top 10 winners of the MIOSM Student Essay Contest.
♦ These students have been selected to appear on the 2009 World's Largest Concert DVD reading their essays.

Questions?  Email wlc@menc.org