Black History Month Essay Winners

Introduction
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Dear Students,
Our judges were truly wowed by all of the essays in this year's Black History Essay Contest! It was not as much the quantity as it was the quality that was so impressive. Hundreds of students all across the Aiken-Augusta area participated and I would like to congratulate each and every participant on their performance. Every year these essays get even more compelling to read, showing each student’s wisdom way beyond their years.

High School Division

Faded Memories
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Wrinkles now line a face that was once as smooth as peanut butter. Gray hair has replaced a crop of hair that shone black as a stallion. Brittle bones have taken space where strong limbs once lived. Her eye-sight has gotten dimmer and her hearing is nearing extinction. Memories that were once filled with gaiety and excitement of family traditions are fading into an evening sunset; never to return anymore.
Ariana Gause, Jefferson County High School

A Politician's Gift to Women: A Flicker of Hope and Courage
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Immoral...unethical...excessively controversial are all stereotypical words that are used to describe politicians today. Carol Moseley-Braun is a great example of a courageous politician who has used ethics, morals, and controversy to serve the people.
Tranecia Nolley, Glascock County Consolidated School

A Hero Indeed
Web-posted 3/2/2006
It was a beautiful Augusta day in Cleveland as I walked up to bat. I thought it was 2005, but I would soon stand corrected. I entered the batter’s box and stood firm. I had fire in my eyes as if someone had talked about my mother. Then, I looked up and the fire became a week blaze. LeRoy "Satchel" Paige was on the mound.
Brandon Paschal, Evans High School

The Odds Were Against Him: Dr. Benjamin S. Carson
Web-posted Web-posted 3/2/2006
I am inspired by people who were able to overcome obstacles and challenges in life. The challenges made them work harder. The obstacles made them strive for excellence. The hard work caused them to never take anything for granted. Inspiration can motive and energize a person to do better. I am truly inspired by Dr. Benjamin S. Carson, Pediatric Neurosurgeon.
Olivia D. Brown, A.R. Johnson Magnet School

James Brown: Local Hero
Web-posted 3/2/2006
What might be the definition of hero? It could be someone who is outrageously strong, saves people from burning buildings, or someone who saves the world. My definition of a hero is any type of person who has made a great change in another persons heart or maybe even soul. My hero is James Brown.
Alexis Hollar, Evans High School

Middle School Division

A Life Path to Follow
Web-posted 3/2/2006
When you hear the name Condoleeza Rice what is the first thing that comes to mind? Most people know her as Secretary of State, but to me she is much more. She has inspired me with her well-rounded personality, her drive to succeed, and her insistence on being her own person.
Annalise Eberhard, Schofield Middle School

The Girl Who Kept Her Seat
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Rosa Parks is one of history’s most courageous and determined women. She is known as "the mother of the civil rights movement." This name is undoubtedly deserved as she inspired a boycott of Montgomery buses, which created the first step in demolishing segregation.
Rebecca S. Phifer, North Augusta Middle School

My Inspiration
Web-posted 3/2/2006
My Aunt Marcia is my inspiration. She is my inspiration because growing up she told me to be a leader not a follower. When she was in high school she played basketball for Orangeburg-Wilkinson High School and she was the first woman there to score over 1,000 points. She got a scholarship to USC-Aiken to play basketball and after graduating, coached at Midland- Valley High School for 5 years.
Tyson Deshawn McKevie, Schofield Middle School

What African- American Inspired Me
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Thinking about what African American has inspired me was challenge. It was a challenge to narrow down 500 years of our black history, and try to find just one African American who has inspired me to reach for the highest heights an become a better person. My culture and rich African American heritage is a melting pit in areas that include the arts, medicine, politics religion, and science just to name a few. But, if I had to choose an area of interests, that area of interest would be medicine, with Charles Richard Drew being the African American tot inspire me in this field.
Michael Horton, Immaculate Conception

Understanding a Dream
Web-posted 3/2/2006
Someone that inspires, better yet empowers me to having at least one goal in life is the "Father of Black History" himself, Carter Godwin Woodson.
Taylor Abraham, North Augusta Middle School