Auto Body Hawaii has announced the winner of this year’s Senior Essay Contest answering the question: “What current events are teens in Hawaii most passionate about and why?”
Auto Body Hawaii has announced the winner of this year’s Senior Essay Contest answering the question: “What current events are teens in Hawaii most passionate about and why?”
All senior year students from West and North Hawaii’s schools were invited to participate. This year’s winner is Simon Ellis from Konawaena High School. He won a $1,000 cash prize.
Ellis’s essay, titled “Eclectic Election,” discussed how the current presidential race is generating a conversation among teens through social media and its potential impact on topics of teens’ interests. He chose not to write about one particular party but how, more than any other time, teens are actively getting involved in the political arena and how their involvement can make a difference.
An excerpt of his essay follows:
“In school, it has never been uncommon for students to discuss politics in social studies and history classes. These days it’s not uncommon for students to discuss them electively in their free time. The lunch room talk has moved away from “who’s her boyfriend” to “what is her stance on foreign policy.” I think that one reason teens are so much more involved in the democratic process this year in particular is that social media gives us the ability to discuss the issues like never before. Not only do we talk about current events at school, but we can also talk about them at home and immediately voice our ideas to the rest of the world. This open dialogue is not only attractive to teens who want to have their voices heard, but also to those of us who want to learn more and see other people’s point of view.”
The full essay is posted at autobodyhawaii.com.
Info: Tracey Taylor, 329-2544, tracey@autobodyhawaii.com.