We would like to congratulate the three Oak Ridge Schools Clinton 12 Essay Contest winners, all three of which are from Robertsville Middle School. The winners are:  5th grade student, Annalesse Vargas, and 8th grade students, Aviana Hodges and Kate Laffoon.

Students who wished to enter the contest were instructed to first view a Clinton 12 video clip from a report shown on WBIR, read an article from Scholastic news, and discuss the points of view of the students who participated in the desegregation of Clinton High School.

For the 5th grade essay contest, students were challenged to use grade-appropriate knowledge and skills to use text and video evidence to write an essay that answers the following questions, “Why did the Supreme Court rule that schools should be integrated even though so many people were afraid of desegregation?” and “What can society do to make sure that fear doesn’t stop us from moving forward?”

For the 8th grade essay contest, students were challenged to use grade-appropriate knowledge and skills to use text and video evidence to write an essay that answers the following question, “What are the benefits and challenges of creating a more integrated society, where people of all races and ethnic backgrounds can live, work, study, and play together?”

 

Left to Right:
Kate Laffoon, Annalesse Vargas, and Aviana Hodges

Clinton 12 Essay Winners