The Freedom From Religion Foundation has announced the winners of its annual high school essay competition for the year 2000, aiding newly graduated high school seniors going on to college this fall.
This year’s topic was “Why the United States Is Not a Christian Nation.”
Winner of the Blanche Fearn Memorial Award for first place of $1,000 is Jonathan Koffmann. The Pennsylvania student will be attending the University of Pennsylvania.
Jennifer Roberts, who will be attending the University of Virginia-Charlottesville this year, won $500 for her engaging essay on “The Religion of Respect,” placing second.
Edmond Lau, a San Franciscan, placed third and receives $250 for his essay, “Removing the Shackles of Religion.” He will be attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Additionally, honorable mentions of $100 each were awarded to Lisa Mitchell, Massachussetts, Sharon Sukumar, Delaware, and Brian Shiau, Arizona. Their essays will be excerpted in a future Freethought Today.
The October issue will announce the winners of the Foundation’s other annual essay competition, open to ongoing college students.
Guidelines for the two annual essay competitions are posted in February at the Freedom From Religion Foundation website. Next year’s topics will be announced in the January/February Freethought Today. Essays are due each year by July 1st.
