About the Essay Contest
Kansas Action for Children, in partnership with Kansas Public Radio, conducted "Our Future Depends on Me," an essay competition about the future of Kansas. The competition was open to 7th and 8th grade students in the KPR listening area. Nearly 200 essays were submitted and 14 were selected as finalists. The finalists could be heard reading their essays on air during KPR's Morning Edition on Wednesdays at 6:35 a.m. and 8:35 a.m. in the Spring of 2009.
Read the Finalist Essays
Click on the links below to read or or listen to essays from the 14 finalists. Tune into KPR 91.5 on Wednesday mornings to hear the students reading their essays on air.
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Airing March 11:
We Need Change
by Lane Sorell
Manhattan Catholic School
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Airing March 18:
More Chances, Better Opportunities
by Cydney May
Indian Hills Junior High, Olathe
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Airing March 25:
One Person Can Make a Difference
by Dalton Porter
Clifton-Clyde Middle School
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Airing April 1:
Make Kansas a Healthier State
by Denise Schiattarella
Manhattan Catholic School
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8th Grade Winning Essay
Airing April 8:
Growing up Healthy
by Austin Gillespie
Mill Creek Middle School, Lenexa
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Airing April 15:
A Bright and Healthy Future
by Mariah Kieffer
Clifton-Clyde Middle School
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Airing April 22:
United We Stand, Divided We Fall
by Taylor L. Scheidegger
Olpe Junior-Senior High School
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7th Grade Winning Essay
Airing April 29:
Becoming a Good Citizen
by Corey Shackelford
Chase Middle School (Topeka)
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Airing May 6
Encouraging Kansans to be Healthier
by Alex Sher
Hyman Brand Hebrew Academy (Lenexa)
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Airing May 13
Our Future Depends on Me
by Regan Ryser
Clifton-Clyde Middle School
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Airing May 20
Education Affects Us All
by Hanna Hayden
Manhattan Catholic School
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Airing May 27
A Better Place for All
by Airika Long
Clifton-Clyde Middle School
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Airing June 3
Be a Healthy Role Model
by Madison Stadel
Burlington Middle School
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Airing June 10
Economy Depends on a Good Eudcation
by Lena Ferkopf
Jackson Heights Middle School (Holton)
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