Many different students across the freshmen English classes have participated in the Dottie Yeck essay contest. Started by Dorothy (Dottie) Yeck, the essay-writers are encouraged to write personal narratives based on each year’s prompt.

Audrey Havrilla (9) participated in the contest and won first place. “It’s just a way to express your creativity in writing and expressing yourself,” Havrilla said.

English teacher Megan Joseph says that when it comes to the contest, not only do students benefit from it, but so do teachers. She and English teacher Kelsey Jackson both had students enter and winthe contest.

“It being a new prompt, as a teacher, forces you to think about how students are going to best prepare to write their response to the prompt,” Joseph said. “It deals with living your best life, and I think that that always blends itself really well into discussion among class members.”

The prompt for the essay is different each year and any student in grades 7-9 living in Montgomery County are allowed to participate. Prizes vary, but the first place prize is $3,000.

Freshmen Ella Wright, Eva Borbonus, Stella Butler, and Alex Grafton all won honorable mentions.

Check out the final scores on the website Dottie Yeck Endowments states.