Maroon Edition Essay Contest for Freshmen

All freshmen are invited to submit an essay based on Wangari Maathai’s memoir Unbowed, the Maroon Edition book selection for the Fall 2012 semester.  There will be first, second, and third place winners, each of whom will receive a Barnes and Noble gift card worth $150 for first place, $100 for second place, and $75 for third place.  Rules for the contest follow.

Your essay must discuss ONE of these topics:

  1. What have you learned about Kenya from reading the book?   Give specific details and/or examples.

    2.  

  2. What aspects of Maathai’s life did you find most striking and why?  Give specific details and/or examples.

    3.  

  3. What did you learn about failure from reading the book?  Cite specific details and/or examples.

    4.  

  4. How has the book changed your perspective(s) on service?  Be specific and provide concrete details.

In writing about the topic you choose, give your own ideas, feelings, and/or responses, being sure to use quotations and specific examples from the book to illustrate and support your points.

Format:  Your essay must not exceed 1000 words and must be typed and double-spaced, with one-inch margins.  Font type must be Times New Roman, with 12-point font size.  Include a cover sheet with your name, your net id, and your phone number, and the written out honor code with your name.  However, DO NOT PUT YOUR NAME ON THE BODY OF THE ESSAY.  Put the title at the top of the first page of the essay.  Submit your essay by midnight on October 29, 2012 to essaycontest@msstate.edu as an attached Microsoft Word document.  Awards will be presented and the top three winners will read their essays at the awards ceremony during the week of November 12 (date and time TBA) as well as on the MSU radio station.

If you have questions, contact Dr. Nancy D. Hargrove at hargrovegn@bellsouth.net or Linda Morse at LMorse@colled.msstate.edu

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. --Sir Richard Steele