The National History Club and the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center are pleased to announce the winners of the 2008 Freedom Center Essay Contest. The contest was held during this school year and students from across the country wrote essays on the history of the Underground Railroad and the movement that resulted in the abolishment of slavery in the United States. Students also explained how the 19th Century abolitionist cause can help combat modern forms of human trafficking.

Robert Nasson, Executive Director of the NHC, said the essay contest allowed students to examine an issue that is still as relevant today as it was 200 years ago. “The reason why we study history is to learn the lessons of the past, and students were able to look at the Underground Railroad and abolitionist movement and apply those lessons to the problems we face as a society today,” Nasson said.

“These are all intelligent, thoughtful and well-written essays, which ought to be encouraging to anyone who thinks young people today don’t have an interest in understanding history,” said Freedom Center CEO Don Murphy. “The narrative surrounding the Underground Railroad is inspiring, and it also has great contemporary relevance, which these essays capture perfectly.”

The winners are:

1st prize: $1,000
Malaya Saldana – Parkview High School, Georgia (Read the Essay)
Kelly Schmidt – McAuley High School, Ohio (Read the Essay)

2nd Prize: $500
Hayin Candiotti, Passaic County Technical Institute, New Jersey (Read the Essay)
Jacob Ratliff, Amelia High School, Ohio (Read the Essay)
Kevin Ruiz, Passaic County Technical Institute, New Jersey (Read the Essay)

Honorable Mention: Copy of David Blight’s “Passages To Freedom”
Katrina Bandeli, Wayne High School, New Jersey
Rebekah Frese, Carlisle Middle School, Iowa
Manon Lefevre, Cromwell High School, Connecticut
Angela Sun, East Middle School, Michigan