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February 5, 2009

Pat McGuckin
Henry Haupt

Jesse White Announces Winners Of “Essays About Lincoln” Contest

SPRINGFIELD – Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White has announced the winners of “Essays About Lincoln”, a statewide contest in which students were asked to write a modern day version of President Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. The contest is part of a multi-faceted campaign developed by White to mark next month’s 200th anniversary of Abraham Lincoln’s birth.

“In November 1863, President Lincoln was invited to speak at the dedication of a cemetery in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania which would be the final resting place for more than 50,000 Americans who died in the Civil War,” White said. “In fewer than 300 words he made what has become one of the most revered speeches ever written.”

“This essay contest encouraged students to write a modern day version of the Gettysburg Address. In 300 words or less, I wanted students to share their personal thoughts and dreams about where we are as a nation, and their ideals for freedom, democracy and equal opportunity. Nearly 2,000 students from throughout Illinois submitted essays. The fact that so many students submitted thoughtful, heartfelt essays showing how they feel about our nation reassures me that our future is in good hands. I look forward to meeting the winning students and I congratulate all the students who took part. ”

The winning essays were submitted by:

Level 1 (Grades 5-6)
1st Place - June Kreml, Belleville
2nd Place - Grace Moran, Rock Island
3rd Place – Summer Wu, Lake Forest

Level 2 (Grades 7-8)
1st Place – Bryce Peters, Palos Heights
2nd Place – Sara Serritos, Chicago
3rd Place – Evan R. King, Paxton

Level 3 (Grades 9-12)
1st Place – Emiko Gomez, Chicago
2nd Place –Teresa Cooper, Danville
3rd Place – Kate Pond, Cisne

Winners and their parents/guardians will travel to Springfield for an awards presentation later this year where they will meet Secretary White and read their essays. They will also tour the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum, receive a plaque and a cash award: $200 for first place, $150 for second place and $100 for third place. Winning essays will be published in the 2009/2010 Illinois Blue Book. To read the winning entries, log on to http://www.illinoiscenterforthebook.org/projectsa.html.

The Illinois State Library, Illinois State Archives, Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Center for the Book co-sponsored the competition. The national Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and the Lincoln Illinois Bicentennial Commission endorsed the contest.

Secretary White thanked the following individuals who judged the nearly 2,000 entries:

Betsy Adamowski - Library Director, Itasca Community Library

Kim Bauer - Director, Decatur Lincoln Bicentennial Commission and noted Lincoln expert

Lynda B. Clemmons - retired English teacher, Trustee, Harrisburg District Library and Board of Directors, Shawnee Library System

Kathryn Harris - Library Services Director, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Member, Youth Outreach Committee, Abraham Lincoln Association

Dave Joens - Director, Illinois State Archives

Crystal Johnson - Executive Director, Chicago Metro History Education Center

Jack Klintworth - Public Speaker on Lincoln/Civil War and Volunteer at Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum

Peggy Boyer Long - Former Executive Director, Illinois Issues Magazine, University of Illinois at Springfield and Former Board Member, Illinois Center for the Book

Barbara Lund - Retired School Librarian

Anne Muraro-Lacopo - Public Information, Illinois State Board of Education

Joe Natale - Executive Assistant to the Director for Planning & Outreach, Illinois State Library and Senior Correspondent, Springfield Business Journal

Karen Ohlmann - school teacher with an interest in Lincoln studies

Veronda Pitchford - Vice President of Membership and Communications, Urban Libraries Council and Board of Directors, Illinois Center for the Book

Jane Running - Former Patent Librarian, Illinois State Library

Mark Sorenson - Adjunct Professor of History, Milliken University

Anne Sustik - Former Coordinator for International Programs, Illinois State Board of Education

Wayne C. Temple - Chief Deputy Director, Illinois State Archives, Illinois Author and noted Lincoln expert

Timothy P. Townsend - Historian Lincoln Home National Historic Site and Member, Youth Outreach Committee, Abraham Lincoln Association