At a ceremony preceding the last lecture in the Civil War Lecture Series at Genesee Community College last week, the winners of the essay contest were announced to a packed audience.
Seven students were recognized for essays on the topic, "What did/does the Civil War mean for American Identity?"
At the event, instructor Derek Maxfield noted the fine quality of all of the entries. In fact, five of the entries garnered first-place votes. Students receiving honorable mention included: Nicholas Pitcher, Brady Hawkes, Gabe Necoechea and Jessica Hollister – all four are from North Star Christian Academy in Rochester. Third place went to Matthew Sisto, second place to John Cole – both also from North Star Christian Academy, and first place was awarded to Sarah Lawson. Lawson is a homeschooled student from the Batavia area.
GCC Bookstore Manager Christopher Sackett was on hand to make the awards. Sackett and Barnes & Noble Booksellers generously donated gift cards of $100 for the first-place winner, $50 cards for the second- and third-place winners, as well as water bottles with the GCC logo. In addition to the first three places, four honorable mentions were recognized.
"In short, we thoroughly enjoyed the series," Maxfield said. "The folks who attended were enthusiastic, well-read and eager for us to continue offering a lecture series of this kind. Many even asked for copies of the lectures, which we are looking into."
