Stossel in the Classroom announced the winners of its fifth annual student essay contest on April 29.
The top prize went to Raelynn Rhodes, a 17-year-old-student from Waco, Texas. Grant Mercer, a 16-year-old student from Kennesaw, Georgia, was awarded second place. A local student, Jasmine St. Peter, from Hodgdon High School, was awarded Honorable Mention in the contest. She receives a certificate plus a $50 check.
Students aged 12 to 18 were asked to write an essay taking a critical look at any government regulation and building their case for whether the regulation is good or bad, after viewing John Stossel’s TV special addressing the issue.
There were nearly 3,500 essays submitted by students across the U.S. and Canada. Winners won cash prizes ranging from $50 to $1,500. The top two winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City for a taping of one of Stossel’s weekly shows, in addition to their cash awards.
Stossel in the Classroom, a project of the non-profit Center for Independent Thought, provides free curriculum materials to teachers, using video clips from John Stossel television shows and specials. Stossell hosts a weekly program on the Fox Business Network.
