Sam Reynolds Finalist "Dear Mr. President" Essay Contest

Rand McNally Reveals Finalists of “Dear Mr. President” Essay Contest for Students

Local Student Among the Winners!

Hartland, Wisconsin, February 11, 2013 – After receiving nearly 8,000 essays from 7^th through 12^th graders across the country, Rand McNally has announced the ten finalists in its “Dear Mr. President” short essay contest. Sam Reynolds of Arrowhead Union High School is among the ten finalists selected, and will travel to Washington, D.C. for a February 17th ceremony at which two Grand Prize winners will be named.

Launched in August, “Dear Mr. President” challenged student authors to present a 400 to 600 word persuasive essay answering the question, "What important issue would you like the President to address?"  The ten finalists addressed a wide range of topics including economic issues, such as farm bill funding and tax structure; health issues, such as diabetes research and autism health care funding; and social issues such as immigrant visas, education and the environment.

Sam’s submission is titled “Tax Rates Ruin Entrepreneurial Spirit” and was submitted by Elizabeth Jorgensen (Sam’s English teacher). 

The ten finalists and a parent or guest will travel to Washington, D.C. for a three-day trip, compliments of WorldStrides®, the global leader in accredited educational travel programs. The finalists will have their essays published in a free e-book at NOOK.com.

From the ten finalists, two Grand Prize winners will be selected and announced at February 17 ceremony in Washington, D.C. The Grand Prize winners (one from 7-9^th grade and one from 10-12^th grade) will receive a $5,000 College 529 Savings Plan. The schools of the Grand Prize winners will receive $5,000 of classroom products from Rand McNally.

While in Washington, D.C. – just prior to President’s Day - the ten finalists will experience an exclusive WorldStrides DiscoverNow! program. WorldStrides is the nation’s largest educational travel organization. Finalists will spend three days and two nights exploring the nation’s capital with the guidance of a WorldStrides-certified course leader. Highlights of the experience will include:

·        Witnessing the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns;

·       Reciting Martin Luther King, Jr.’s “I Have a Dream” speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial and visiting the newly dedicated Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial;

·     Experiencing life in the first “white house”, George Washington’s beloved Mt. Vernon;

·    Seeing the government in action through a visit to the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol Building. 

The list of winners and complete contest rules for “Dear Mr. President” are available at bestoftheroad.com/education. In addition to contest guidelines, the site also features lesson plans for educators, activity guides to assist student writers, and correlations to the Common Core State Standards.

At the March 13th Arrowhead Board of Education meeting Sam, his parents Gail and Gary, along with Sam's teacher Liz Jorgensen will be present to be recognized and to share their experience traveling to Washington D.C.  CONGRATULATIONS SAM!!!