Winners of Presidential Speech Writing Contest
Source/Author: Dr. Lisa Bianco, Head of Lower School
January 20, 2017
Can you imagine being a speech writer for the newly elected President of the United States? Our third and fourth grade students - as well as our Upper School students - were provided with this challenge in the form of a writing contest. A friend of the Shorecrest community, Mr. Norm Bungard, presented the contest idea to the school and offered to send the winning speeches to the White House and provide cash prizes, half of which would go to the winners’ favorite charities.
Students were asked to pretend they were the President's chief speech writer and to write a one to two page speech that would help get everyone to be nice to each other and cooperate even if they disagree with each other. What are the three to five most important things you think the President could say to all the people listening to his speech?
Dozens of students participated in the writing contest and independently wrote inspirational speeches. All were noteworthy and well done. The Shorecrest community was proud of everyone’s hard work and effort. Shorecrest staff members read each speech and ranked them (within each school) on the following criteria: voice, hook, organization and persuasion.
Four Lower School students were recognized:
- First place: fourth grader Sam R - $200 (1/2 to Salvation Army - subsequent donation info here.)
- Second place: fourth grader Adyson J - $125 (1/2 to Salvation Army - subsequent donation info here.)
- Third place: third grader Mila B - $75 (1/2 to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
- Honorable Mention: fourth grader Daisy N
Upper School students recognized:
Grand Prize Winners:
- First place: senior Max K - $600 (1/2 to St. Jude Hospital)
- Second place: senior Jack L - $300 (1/2 to St. Gerard Campus)
- 9th Grade: Emery C
- 10th Grade: Will H
- 11th Grade: Kyle M
- 12th Grade: Kyle D
“The exercise encompassed several talents, most notably THINKING, writing skills, considering diversity and more. Students did not receive help from others and the judges were Shorecrest teachers and some staff.” Mr. Bungard wrote to his friends about the contest.
An excerpt from Sam's Lower School first place essay:
"Could you imagine what the world would be like if everybody got along? There wouldn't be wars, fights, or criminals. The planet would be peaceful and kind and nobody would fear anyone and pacifists would be satisfied. There is one question: How can we achieve peace and harmony? I have 4 ideas to share on how I think we can reach our goal and make the world peaceful."
(Spoiler Alert: Sam's four ideas were listening, disagreeing politely, ending bullying and sending thank you notes to those who have been nice to us.)
Lower School student writing is displayed in the south breezeway cases. All winning entries will be sent to the White House.
