Civics Education
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Summer Teacher Institute 2009 - Deadline Extended to May 29!
DOWNLOAD SUMMER TEACHER INSTITUTE APPLICATION HERE
2009 Essay Contest Finalists
This year, hundreds of students from across Kentucky submitted entries to the McConnell Center’s Annual Essay Contest. This year’s prompt asked students, “If you could change one thing about the American election process, what would it be and why?” Entries were divided into a junior division (grades 5-8) and a senior division (grades 9-12). The McConnell Center is pleased to announce the following finalists. The first, second, and third place essays, along with honorable mentions and special commendations will be announced by May 1. Congratulations to all applicants, and to the finalists!
Junior Division Finalists (in alphabetical order):
- Emily Allen, South Oldham Middle School “Does Your Vote Really Count?”
- Frank Bencomo, Highland Middle School “If I Could Change One Principle of the Election, What Would It Be and Why?”
- Jordyn Franchino, Frankfort Christian Academy “Fair vs. Illegal: Crossover Voting”
- Nikki Germain, Heath Middle School “It’s Your Choice and Your Voice”
- Brenda Hall, Ballard County Elementary “What I Would Change About Our Election Process”
- Kyle Hancock, Frankfort Christian Academy “Congressional District Method”
- Patrick Harp, Frankfort Christian Academy “Experience Matters”
- Dylan Howard, Ballard County Elementary “If I Could Change One Aspect of American Elections…”
- Theo Lineberry, Brown Middle School “Wealth Wins the Election”
- Alexandria Montgomery, Heath Middle School “A Super, Super Tuesday”
- Joseph Roso, Coldwater Christian Academy “The Pitfalls of the Electoral College”
- Sadie Saylor, Brown Middle School “Out Of Date”
- Kate Simmons, Graves County Middle School “Money, Money, Money”
- Malory Smith, Frankfort Christian Academy “United We Stand, Divided We…Vote?”
- Stuart Wicke, Brown Middle School “Supervacuus (Unnecessary)”
Senior Division Finalists (in alphabetical order):
- Samuel Burgin, Ballard High School “Instant Runoff Voting”
- Natalie Drucker, Lafayette High School “Modifying the Electoral College”
- Kayla Engle, Jeffersontown High School, “Presidential Campaigning”
- Jacob Faul, South Oldham High School “An Analysis on the Benefits of Compulsory Voting”
- Chapin Fausel, Eastern High School “The Clot of the College”
- Kayla Higbee, Meade County High School “The Electoral College: Is It Really the People’s Voice?”
- Erran Huber, South Oldham High School “…And Representation for All”
- Jordan Jenkins, Tates Creek High School “Recognizing the Decline of the Elderly Vote”
- Sarah Johnsrude, duPont Manual High School “Direct Election is a Better Idea”
- Amber Martin, Spencer County High School “Making Your Vote Count”
- Andrew Mullikin, Trimble County High School “The Detrimental Effects of Political Parties on American Democracy”
- Seam Mullins, Holmes High School “Election Day: Twelfth Federal Holiday”
- Colleen Paxton, Paducah Tilghman High School “Keep the Mud Away From Television”
- April Phelps, Owensboro High School “The Media’s Increasing Influence Over the United States”
- Hanyuan Shi, Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School “Media Undermining the Citizens’ Choice”
- Megan Short, Model Lab High School “Is Three Really A Crowd?”
- Megan Smith, LaRue County High School “It’s Time for a Change”
- Skylar Stallings, Eastern High School “Voice of the Common Man”
- Rachel Swanson, Bryan Station High School “Turning Up the Turnout”
- James Thompson, Jeffersontown High School “A New Peculiar Institution”
Civics Education Update: The following exciting New Educational Opportunities for Teachers and Students took place this summer!
Click on the links below to access more information about each program:
Kentucky Student Essay Contest--Enter by February 15, 2009!
Check out the finalists of last year's essay contest!
Summer Teacher Institute for Kentucky High School Teachers
About the Civics Education Program
The McConnell Center Began Civics Education projects to help address in Kentucky the national problem of declining classroom emphasis on American history and civics education, abysmal student knowledge of the American Constitution and political processes, and a growing detachment of young people from the political process.
The project is a non-profit, non-partisan series of programs established to improve Kentucky's understanding of its own history; assist Kentucky citizens in developing a better understanding of the American Constitution and American history, and encourage open and free discussion of perennial concerns that inform contemporary politics.
The McConnell Center conducts educational programs for teachers, students (both high school and college), and the general public focused on developing a strong knowledge of American history and fostering creative thinking about the possibilities and problems of citizenship in the twenty-first century.
Contact Information for Civics Education
Malana S. Salyer, Civics Education Coordinator
Phone:502-852-3947
Fax:502-852-0046
Email:CivicsEd@louisville.edu
Board of Advisors
Teaching American History Grant: 2005-2007
Living History Series
Constitution Day
Publications