The lawyers and judges of the U.S. District Court Middle District of Florida and the Jacksonville Chapter of the Federal Bar Association recognized the winners of the 2020 High School Essay Contest at a ceremony Nov. 13 at the Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse in Jacksonville.
Michelle Acosta, a student at Paxon School for Advanced Studies, received the first-place award and $2,000 prize provided by the Bench & Bar Fund.
The second-place $1,000 award went to Sean Gilliam from Flagler Palm Coast High School.
The third-place essay was by Isabel Ritch of Episcopal School of Jacksonville. Ritch received a $500 prize.
In addition, the students’ teachers, Mary Webster, Allison Elledge and Emily Farmer, received $500 classroom grants.
Students receiving honorable mention also were recognized:
■ Michael Horning, Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
■ Fatimata Jalloh, Paxon School for Advanced Studies.
■ Anyliah Miracle Whitefield King, Fleming Island High School.
■ Donald Kohla, Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
■ Kenneth J. Logan, Flagler Palm Coast High School.
■ Jose Monteagudo, Stanton College Preparatory School.
■ Cooper Richart, Episcopal School of Jacksonville.
The theme for the third annual essay contest was the 100th anniversary of ratification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that granted women the right to vote.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the contest attracted entries from five of the 12 counties in the Jacksonville Division – Columbia, Clay, Duval, Flagler and Nassau – and from 11 high schools.
The winners also will be recognized Dec. 11 at the virtual, annual Spirit of Giving Luncheon hosted by the Jacksonville Chapter