ACLU of Santa Cruz County, CA

The first ever Santa Cruz ACLU Civil Liberties Essay Contest for high school students concluded on May 15, 2008. Many wonderful essays were received. All the essays have been read and evaluated by a panel of 6 readers, comprised of 2 education professionals, 2 current UCSC students, and 2 other members of the local chapter Board.

Reading the essays was an inspiring experience - the young authors of these essays presented writings of high quality. The topic was Free Speech on High School Campuses. Many of the essays contained both research into national decisions regarding free speech and gripping arguments based on personal experience. From the entries, the panel selected the first and second place winners (from Soquel High and Aptos High, respectively), as well as 7 essays to receive $25 Merit Awards.

And here they are - the 9 winners of our 2007-2008 Essay Contest:

• First Place: Laurel Woerner, of Soquel High School
  click here to read Ms Woerner's essay
  
• Second Place: Eileen Kitayama of Aptos High School
  click here to read Ms Kitayama's essay
  
• Merit Award: Marysol Alvarez of Watsonville
• Merit Award: Allyson Blackstone of Santa Cruz High School
• Merit Award: Simone Fine of Santa Cruz High School
  
• Merit Award: Elda Meza of Santa Cruz High School
• Merit Award: Mattie Millar of Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
• Merit Award: Victor Minden of Georgiana Bruce Kirby Preparatory School
• Merit Award: Sarah Wolbert of Santa Cruz High School

And congratulations to all our 2007-2008 student essayists! Great work!