HSLDA	June 21, 2005

Announcing the Results of the Fourth Annual HSLDA Essay Contest

With hundreds of entries from around the United States, and even a few from overseas, judges in the Fourth Annual Home School Legal Defense Association Essay Contest were hard-pressed to whittle down the essays to only the top six in each category.

For Category 1, students from 12 to 15 answered the question, "What is something positive that you have learned by watching your parents or guardian?" The top essay in this category was written by S. Catherine Furry, who described the work ethic modeled by her parents. Second place went to Asha Azariah-Kribbs, whose parents' perseverance drew her notice.

One judge commented, "These essays on lessons learned from a parent were very inspiring. As a group, there was much wisdom lived out by the parents of each author." Many children wrote about the sacrifices that their parents have made in order to homeschool.

Category 2 writers (ages 16 through 18) wrote on the topic, "What three pieces of literature would you deem necessary before one could consider his education 'complete' and why?" First place went to Dianne Becker, who reasoned that the Constitution, the Bible, and the Complete Works of Shakespeare were fundamental to a complete education. Luke Krmpotich won second place; he cited the Bible, Plato's Republic, and de Tocqueville's Democracy in America.

Other works of literature cited often were Pilgrim's Progress, Plutarch's Lives, and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

The proceeds from the contest will be given to the Home School Foundation Special Needs Fund.

Read the winning essays below: