Broad Street Books awards prizes to essay contest winners

Broad Street Books, in cooperation with Selma City Schools, recently announced the winners of its writing contest, “How I Would Improve Selma.”

First place winner Reagan S. was awarded $100. “I think of my ancestors walking across the Bridge and what they went through so that we could have equal rights,” she said. “It’s important to keep these ancestors in our memories and build on their stories.”

Jeremiah McGary, second place winner, earned $75. “We need to have a new conversation with our students in Selma schools,” he said. “We need to concentrate less on street life and more on what it takes to be good citizens. I ended my essay with a John Lewis quote because he’s the type of individual we need as a model.”

Carlos Carter, third place winner, took home a $50 prize. He began his essay with a poem he wrote about Martin Luther King. “People like him don’t pop up every day. If Selma uses him as an inspiration, I think we could draw some people of high quality to our city,” he said.

School staff members Dr. William Powell, Director of Secondary Education; Ms. Kristy Bettis, Library Media Specialist; and Hanna Kraker, 9th Grade instructor, English/Language Arts, worked with David Tipmore, owner of Broad Street Books, which underwrote the project.

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Participants were asked to submit 300-500-word essays. The winners were chosen by Kraker, who looked for “clarity” and “originality” to guide her selection.

Powell and Bettis expressed their confidence in Kraker. “The way she works with her students is inspiring to me and to her colleagues” Bettis said.

Kraker was gratified by the quality of the essays. “It’s a pleasure to honor these three strong students who are interested in achievement. Through writing, they are learning how to make their voices and ideas heard.”

Tipmore said plans to sponsor the contest annually. “I’m glad to be able to provide an opportunity for students to frame their thoughts how to make Selma a place they can be proud of,” Tipmore said. “These three winners have accomplished that goal – and then some.”

Copies of the essays will be displayed at Broad Street Books, 22 Broad Street. The store is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday 12 to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.