Exemplary Essay Bank
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The YES! National Student Writing Competition demonstrates how teachers can use YES! Magazine stories as the basis for thought-provoking writing. It also gives students an opportunity to voice their opinions and show off their exemplary writing.
Each quarter, students will have the opportunity to read and respond to designated YES! Magazine articles, using the same writing prompt to write a 700-word essay. One essay per age category is selected by YES! for being the most well-written and compelling, and for capturing the spirit of the article. Read these model essays—some from the former YES! Exemplary Essay Project— in addition to responses from the articles' authors.
Learn how you and your students can participate in the YES! National Student Writing Competition.
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Exemplary Essay on "Words Matter: How Media Can Build Civility or Destroy It"
by Jana Lockieposted 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.
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Exemplary Essay on "Life's Best Lessons Are Outside the Classroom"
by Peter Hasleposted 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.
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YES! Exemplary Essay Program Guide
posted Jan 30, 2011 - A step-by-step guide to our Exemplary Essay Project.
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Nathan Christensen Essay on “Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country”
by Nathan Christensenposted 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.
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Royce Baker Essay on “Heal the Warrior, Heal the Country”
by Royce Bakerposted 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.
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Exemplary Essay on "Christmas with No Presents?"
by Ragan Foleyposted 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."
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Exemplary Essay on "Iraq Veterans, Activists for Peace"
by Eleanor Stevensposted 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.
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Exemplary Essay on "Who Will Rule?"
by Pecos Singerposted 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.
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Christine Everson Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"
by Christine Eversonposted 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.
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Chris Claudillo Essay on "Know Yourself, Change Your World"
by Chris Caudilloposted 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.
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Exemplary Essay on "Blessings Revealed"
by Shawn Clarkposted Jan 22, 2010 - Shawn Clark, a senior at Northland Preparatory Academy in Flagstaff, Arizona, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "Blessings Revealed" by Puanani Burgess. Read Shawn's essay on how his gifts of poetry and playing guitar bring happiness to friends and others, but, in his opinion, aren't necessarily recognized by society as "smart."
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Courtney Kisner Essay on "The City That Ended Hunger"
by Courtney Kisnerposted May 14, 2009 - Courtney Kisner, a sophomore at West Valley High School in Fairbanks, Alaska, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "The City That Ended Hunger" by Frances Moore Lappé. Read Courtney's essay on Belo Horizante, Brazil, a model of democracy for the United States because it believes food is a right of its citizens.
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Katelynne Lingaas Essay on "The City That Ended Hunger"
by Katelynne Lingaasposted May 14, 2009 - Katelynne Lingaas, a sophomore at West Valley High School in Fairbanks, Alaska, read and responded to the YES! Magazine article, "The City That Ended Hunger" by Frances Moore Lappé. Read Katelynne's essay on true democracy, which she believes is based on giving others the opportunity to make something of their lives.
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