Writing Competition

Celebrating Student Writing

Powerful Voice Winner Bronson Afong Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Bronson Ho’omaikai Afong

posted Aug 10, 2011

Bronson, our Powerful Voice winner, is a student at Blanche Pope Elementary in Oahu, Hawaii. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Bronson's essay on how his gifts help keep his Hawaiian culture alive.

University Winner Tim Hefflinger Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Tim Hefflinger

posted Aug 10, 2011

Tim, our university winner, is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Tim's essay on how he learned to voice his concerns.

High School Winner Kamron Yazdani Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Kamron Yazdani

posted Aug 10, 2011

Kamron, our high school winner, is a student with the Global Village School. He read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Kamron's essay on the gift that isn't easy to see.

Middle School Winner Alex Gilliland Essay on "Blessings Revealed"

by Alex Gilliland

posted Aug 10, 2011

Alex, our middle school winner, is a student at Aka'ula School in Molokai, Hawaii. She read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Alex's essay on how she has the ability to see what others cannot.

Exemplary Essay on "Poverty, Global Trade Justice, and the Roots of Terrorism"

by Bradley Stone

posted Jun 01, 2011

Bradley Stone, a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Poverty, Global Trade Justice, and the Roots of Terrorism" by John Perkins. Read Bradley's essay on who he thinks are the real terrorists.

Exemplary Essay on "Words Matter: How Media Can Build Civility or Destroy It"

by Jana Lockie

posted Jun 01, 2011

Jana Lockie, a student at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Words Matter: How Media Can Build Civility or Destroy It," by Sarah van Gelder and Brooke Jarvis. Read Jana's essay on how both the media and the public should be responsible for respectful debate.

Exemplary Essay on "Life's Best Lessons Are Outside the Classroom"

by Peter Hasle

posted Feb 06, 2011

Peter Hasle, a student at Shoreline Community College in north Seattle, Washington, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Life's Best Lessons are Outside the Classroom" by Daniel Fireside. Read Peter's essay on how he took back his education.

YES! Exemplary Essay Program Guide

posted Jan 30, 2011

A step-by-step guide to our Exemplary Essay Project.

Nathan Christensen Essay on “Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country”

by Nathan Christensen

posted Dec 22, 2010

Nathan Christensen, a student at Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Washington, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country" by Edward Tick. Read Nathan's essay on how he alleviated his conflict with soldiers.

Royce Baker Essay on “Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country”

by Royce Baker

posted Dec 22, 2010

Royce Baker, a student at Edmonds Community College in Edmonds, Washington, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country" by Edward Tick. Read Royce's essay on why he doesn't support war, but does support the soldier.

Exemplary Essay on "Christmas with No Presents?"

by Ragan Foley

posted Oct 14, 2010

Ragan Foley, a student at Girls Preparatory School in Chattanooga, Tennessee, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Christmas with No Presents?" by Colin Beavan. Read Ragan's essay on how she realized she could "go green."

Exemplary Essay on "Iraq Veterans, Activists for Peace"

by Eleanor Stevens

posted Jun 29, 2010

Eleanor Stevens, a student at Santa Fe Waldorf High School in New Mexico, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Why Iraq Veterans Can’t Stay Silent" by Sarah Olson. Read Eleanor's essay on filling the void of war, from taxpayer to soldier.

Exemplary Essay on "Who Will Rule?"

by Pecos Singer

posted Jun 29, 2010

Pecos Singer, a student at at Santa Fe Waldorf High School in New Mexico, read and responded to YES! Magazine article, "Who Will Rule?" by Michael Marx and Marjorie Kelly. Read Pecos' essay on his dream for corporate executives to heed the call of the people to act for the greater good.

Christine Everson Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"

by Christine Everson

posted Jan 22, 2010

Christine Everson, a student at Western Washington University's Woodring School of Education, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Know Yourself, Change Your World" by Parker Palmer. Read Christine's essay on how she overcame fear and accepted her medical condition, with the help of a teacher she learned to trust.

Chris Claudillo Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"

by Chris Caudillo

posted Jan 22, 2010

Chris Caudillo, a student at Western Washington University's Woodring School of Education, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Know Yourself, Change Your World," by Parker Palmer. Read Chris' essay on how to ensure that teachers' voices speak louder than noise from Facebook, YouTube, and celebrities.