Drew Carnahan, a senior at Bryant High School, placed third in the annual “Ideas Matter” College Scholarship Essay Contest sponsored by the Clinton Foundation.
Drew is the son of David and Michelle Carnahan and was guided by his AP Language and Composition teacher, Tim Sisk.
Each year, the Foundation awards the scholarship to the Arkansas high school student who best answers a specific writing prompt. This year, students were asked to respond (in 500 words or less) to the following prompt:
“In today’s interdependent world, we have many challenges. The Clinton Foundation works to change the world by improving global health and wellness, increasing opportunity for girls and women, reducing childhood obesity, creating economic opportunity and growth, and helping communities address the effects of climate change. Write an essay exploring one of these five themes.”
Specifically, students are asked to define a challenge, propose an idea to alleviate that challenge, and develop a strategy for putting that plan into action.
“I’m always impressed with the quality of these essays, but moreover, I am so encouraged that our students recognize their own ability to transform lives and communities,” said Stephanie S. Streett, executive director of the Clinton Foundation.
High school juniors and seniors from every corner of the state submitted essays. Essays were reviewed by a panel of educators led by Dr. Judith A. Hayn, an associate professor of the Teacher Education Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
