AEW 2020-2021

2020-2021 American Education Essay Contest

Every year in celebration of American Education Week the Carlisle Area School District sponsors an essay contest for students in grades 4-12. Each winner receives a bronze medallion, certificate of recognition, their name inscribed on the winner plaque which hangs in the winner's school, and a gift certificate from Whistlestop Bookshop in Carlisle.  

This year's essay prompts were:

Elementary:
What makes your school a great public school? Write a thoughtful and well-organized essay in which you explain how your elementary school successfully educates and engages you and your peers. As an alternative, you may create your response for presentation using any medium you are comfortable with, including, but not limited to video, song, PowerPoint, poem, etc.

Mt. Holly Springs Elementary: Logan Kuntz's Essay

North Dickinson Elementary: Evan Flickinger's Essay


Middle School:
John Lubbock is quoted as saying, “The important thing is not so much that every child should be taught, as that every child should be given the desire to learn.” Identify and explain how a teacher or community member has helped inspire you to learn something. What character traits did he or she have that drove you to achieve? You may use any medium in which to respond to this prompt, including, but not limited to essay, video, song, PowerPoint, poem, etc. 

Lamberton Middle School: Reagan Cardin's Essay Presentation Video

Wilson Middle School: Elizabeth Forrester's Stop Motion Video

Wilson Middle School: Cameron Shull's Presentation


High School:
The United States has always been a place where words, thoughts and ideas have been allowed to flow and grow, despite the fact that there may be differing viewpoints. The American-born author, poet and historian, Aberjhani, once said, “Democracy is not simply a license to indulge individual whims and proclivities. It is also holding oneself accountable to some reasonable degree for the conditions of peace that impact the lives of those who inhabit one’s beloved extended community.” Write a thoughtful and well-organized essay in which you explore what Aberjhani means by this. Provide evidence from your personal and educational career where you have seen this philosophy at work. As an alternative, you may create your response for presentation using any medium you are comfortable with, including, but not limited to video, song, PowerPoint, poem, etc.