MORGAN HILL RESIDENTS GABRIELLA GAMEZ and ERIN SCHULZ, students at MONTE VISTA CHRISTAN SCHOOL in Watsonville, won awards at the 13th annual HIGH SCHOOL BOOK COLLECTION ESSAY CONTEST sponsored by the Friends of the University of California Santa Cruz Library.
Entrants submitted a 1,000-word essay, with an annotated bibliography of 10 items, describing a collection of books they would like to own on a topic they care about. Entries were judged on the essays’ originality, enthusiasm, persuasiveness as well as technical excellence in grammar, usage, punctuation and spelling.
Gamez won first place in the sophomore division for her essay, “Mi Herencia.” Schulz won third place in the junior and senior division for her essay, “To Dance and Be Free.” A total of seven Monte Vista Christian School students received awards.
“I’m thankful for this contest as it encourages students to write carefully about something that they love,” said Marcus Schwager, who teaches winning sophomore and senior students.
Gamez and Schulz received cash prizes and bookstore gift certificates for Monte Vista’s library. Eight local bookstores contributed to the awards.
