Express Yourself
18th Annual Student Essay Contest
Over 440 essays from 32 states and the District of Columbia were submitted in the Memorial’s 18th annual Student Essay Contest. Winning essays came from students in California, New Jersey, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.
Each winner received a cash prize and had the opportunity to be recognized at a ceremony at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum in March.
The Contest allowed students the opportunity to share their views on relevant topics while engaging in the lessons of the Memorial. The April 19, 1995, bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building was the result of some individuals choosing violence to express disagreement and effect change. This evil act killed 168 innocent men, women and children.
This year’s contest encouraged students to think about the importance of being a unifying voice and being active in their communities to create positive change.
18th Annual Student Essay Contest Winners
5/6 Grade
| Place | Student | Grade | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Lynlee Robinson | 5th | Cleveland Elementary | Norman, OK |
| 2nd | Charlotte LaFee | 5th | Plato Elementary School | Duncan, OK |
| 3nd | Raylee Steely | 6th | Curtis Inge Middle School | Noble, OK |
7/8 Grade
| Place | Student | Grade | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Christopher Pietrowski | 8th | St. Margaret Regional School | Woodbury Heights, NJ |
| 2nd | Liliana Amore | 8th | Amore Academy Home School | Elgin, OK |
| 3rd | Meadow Barrett | 8th | Mustang Middle School | Yukon, OK |
9/10 Grade
| Place | Student | Grade | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Bennett Hochner | 10th | Sage Creek High School | Carlsbad, CA |
| 2nd | Kaitlin Miranda | 10th | Northwood High School | Irvine, CA |
| 3rd | Ryan Lenney | 10th | Capistrano Valley High School | Mission Viejo, CA |
11/12 Grade
| Place | Student | Grade | School | Hometown |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Alyssa Ramirez | 12th | Elgin High School | Elgin, TX |
| 2nd | Annabella Potts | 11th | Norman North High School | Norman, OK |
| 3rd | Olivia Carratello | 12th | Red Oak Academy | Greensboro, NC |
Sponsor – Allegiance Credit Union
We are grateful to Allegiance Credit Union for sponsoring this contest, and proud of our continued partnership. The Federal Employees Credit Union, which changed its name to Allegiance Credit Union in 2003, was located on the third floor of the Alfred P. Murrah Building and lost 18 of its 33 employees in the bombing. Six of the surviving employees were seriously injured.
With the assistance of other credit unions and volunteers, they were able to reopen within 48 hours at a temporary site furnished by Tinker Federal Credit Union.
