The Interfaith Alliance of Macomb (IAM), dedicated to promoting unity and respect for all within the community, held a youth essay contest for students in first grade through high school. The contest, titled Peace: Prose & Poetry, asked participants to reflect on the subject, “What peace means to me” in a one page or less essay or poem. Participating students’ essays and poems were judged by members of the Macomb Retired Teachers Association, based on creativity, originality, and personal experience.
An anonymous member of IAM sponsored the prize awards. One top submission was selected to receive $25 Chamber Certificate in each of the following two grade categories: first and second grades, third and fourth grades and fifth and sixth grades. A $50 Chamber Certificate prize was went to one high school student. Award winners were recognized during the WIU International Bazaar on March 3 in the WIU Student Union.
2018 Interfaith Alliance of Macomb Youth Writing Contest Winners
First Place Winners
1st/2nd Grade Ada Mealif 2nd Grade, Lincoln School
Parents: Nikki & Tim Mealif Teacher: Ms. Katie Curran
3rd/4th Grade Janiya Galloway 4th Grade, Edison School
Guardian: Ravan Polk Teacher: Mrs. Sara Nelson
5th/6th Grade Wadah Miki 6th Grade, Edison School
Parents: Mohanad Mahmoud & Sally Mohamed Teacher: Mr. Kenny Crosby
Jr/Sr High School Gracie Johnson 10th Grade, Regional Offices Youth Alternative Learning Services – Macomb
Parents: Carolyn & Rodney Johnson Teacher: Ms. Kim Featherlin
Honorable Mentions
1st/2nd Grade Hajoon Lee 1st Grade, Lincoln School
Parents: Chanhui Lee & Boh Young Lee Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Olson
Jimin Kim 2nd Grade, Lincoln School
Parents: Seong Kim & Minsum Doh Teacher: Ms. Katie Curran
5th/6th Grade Jake Hobson 6th Grade, Edison School
Parents: Becky & Steve Hobson Teacher: Mr. Kenny Crosby
Participants
Lincoln School:
1st Grade Teacher: Mrs. Amanda Olson; Hajoon Lee
2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Katie Curran; Ada Mealif
2nd Grade Teacher: Ms. Katie Curran; Jimin Kim
3rd Grade Teacher: Ms. Miranda Clardy;
Brooklyn Welch, Sophia, Madelyn, Laney, Kemah, Jermaine, Brielie, Owen Egler, Spike Roger, Charianne, Edvin
3rd GradeTeacher : Ms. Linda Poore; Claire Wen
3rd Grade Teacher: Ms. Tara Stockham; Addison Moman
Edison School:
4thGrade Teacher: Ms. Shelley Glaser; Sohie Wilson
4th Grade Teacher: Mrs. Sara Nelson; Janiya Galloway
6th Grade Teacher: Mr. Kenny Crosby
Jake Hobson; Wadah Miki, Jolie Bowman, Katie Benson, Kayoaina Whyte, Arriyon Smith, Brooklyn Mainland
ROYALS
10th Grade Teacher: Kim Featherlin; Gracie Johnson
All 26 participants in the essay contest received recognition and incentives provided by the following local retailers:
Jimmy Johns, Sullivan Taylor, Nostalgia, Dairy Queen,
The IAM was established in early 2017 with the goal of promoting respect and increasing understanding among the various faiths and cultures within the Macomb community. The group hopes to offer a voice to express condemnation of bigotry, hate, fear and violence in a non-political, non-partisan and non-violent manner. The IAM encourages peaceful and respectful community engagement through the organization of family-friendly opportunities for people of all ages, faiths and cultures to interact within a safe environment.
For more information about the IAM and/or future events, contact Janice Rockwell at (309)331-4783 or at [email protected]