Essay contest receives 710 student entries

According to Medora Willmore, one of the faculty sponsors, 710 students submitted their original essays for judging in the local competition, part of the nationwide Laws of Life high school series founded by billionaire philanthropist Sir John Templeton, a native of Franklin County, Tenn.

At WCHS, the top three essays in each grade level earned hefty cash awards. First-place winners in each grade read their essays during the awards program, directed by Willmore and the other faculty sponsor, Regina Matheney.

The first-place winners are: Jessie Kennedy, ninth grade; Robbie Brown, 10th grade; Abby Surles, 11th; Kristin Fann, 12th.

The awards program will be aired in its entirety on Warren County public radio WCPI 91.3 FM today, May 11, at 10:04 a.m. and again tonight at 10:07 p.m.