The Humanist essay contest is geared toward helping students grow and advance in their studies. Submissions are judged on originality of thought, sense of emotional engagement, clarity and quality of presentation, amount of research evidenced, and future potential shown by the author. We were impressed by the overall quality of all the essays submitted. In what these young people have shared with us, there is much ground for optimism about the future. So we extend our sincere thanks to all who entered, who inspired entrants, and who judged the essays. For the future, we invite interested parties to become financial cosponsors of the contest. Contact the Humanist for details. The 2004 Humanist Essay Contest is now underway and accepting submissions until December 1, 2003. For complete information, visit our website at www.theHumanist.org phone toll-free at (800) 837-3792 or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Humanist Essay Contest, 1777 T Street NW, Washington, DC 20009-7125.

Ages Thirteen to Seventeen

$1,000 First Prize
"Child Labor: The Real Solution" (Read Article in PDF)
by Sarah Rose Miller
age seventeen

$400 Second Prize
"Those Who Have Lost Their Identities: The Homeless of America"
by Alex Takashima
age seventeen

$100 Third Prize
"The Right to Choose: the Key to Overpopulation"
by Xi Chen
age seventeen

Honorable Mention
"Can We Still Save Our Environmentally Imperiled Planet?" by Amelia L. Fort, age seventeen; "September 11: An Opportunity to Build the Global Community" by Hannah Higgins, age sixteen; "Would You Like Fries with That?" by Jimmy Soni, age seventeen

Ages Eighteen to Twenty-four

$1,000 First Prize
"Dispelling the Illusion of Lifejackets: The First Step Toward a Healthy Canoe-Earth" (Read Article in PDF)
by Gretchen Rasmusson
age twenty-three

$400 Second Prize
"What Did You Learn in History Class?"
by Jennifer M. Davis
age twenty-three

$100 Third Prize
"The Triumph of the Spirit"
by Adam Smith
age eighteen

Honorable Mention
"The American Response to September 11" by Matt Edwards, age twenty-two; "Can Humanism Survive in a Post 9/11 World?" by Robert Watson, age nineteen; "Should Students with Disabilities Attend Neighborhood Schools?" by Amanda Woolsey, age nineteen

Judges
Ilana Boivie, Bryon Demmer, Valerie Demmer, Fred Edwords, Karen Gajewski, Babu Gogineni, Jende Huang, Kimberly Klinger, Sarah Sweetman, Erika Waak