Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness received over 50 entries to their 2013 essay competition for high school seniors from Bonner, Sanders and Lincoln Counties. A cash award and certificate were awarded to student writers from Troy, Libby, Thompson Falls and Noxon, Montana, high schools; as well as Sandpoint, Clark Fork and Lake Pend Oreille High Schools in Idaho.
The winners were Alex Walt, Thompson Falls (best overall); Alexandra Kremes, Sandpoint; Brandon Piazzola, Noxon; Makayla Cichosz-King, Libby; Kieri McCommas, Lake Pend Oreille High; Cassidy Smith, Clark Fork; and Michaela Curry, Troy. Analisa Armbruster of Sandpoint received an honorable mention.
The theme for the essay contest is “a most memorable wilderness experience,” which may be a first-hand account of an experience of the author or one related to the author by a friend or relative. The experience may have happened in any Wilderness, designated or proposed, and must portray traditional wilderness activities such as backpacking, camping, hunting, fishing, berry picking, or horseback riding.
“The great thing about the theme for this contest,” says FSPW executive director Phil Hough, ” is the personal nature of the essays. It’s not about abstract ideas. It’s about how wilderness has affected someone’s life in a real way.”
The winners for each high school, plus an honorable mention from Sandpoint High School are all published on our website, you can read any or all of them by following the links below:
Alex Walt — Best Essay Thompson Falls High, 2013 Essay Contest overall winner.
Alexandra Kremes — Best Essay, Sandpoint High
Analisa Armbruster — Honorable Mention, Sandpoint High
Cassidy Ann Smith — Best Essay, Clark Fork High
Brandon Piazzola — Best Essay, Noxon High School
Kieri McCommass — Best Essay, Pend Oreille High School
