Leaves of Gold Essay Contest at Reinhardt University Congratulates Winners

Four students took top honors in Reinhardt University’s Leaves of Gold Essay Contest held in late fall semester. The contest was sponsored by the collaborative efforts of the Student Government Association and the School of Arts and Humanities.

“…counted among the student’s greatest achievements.”

“This essay contest promised to display the artistic abilities of many students at Reinhardt,” said Casey Robinson, SGA secretary. “As a major sponsor for the essay contest, SGA wanted to see Reinhardt’s  students soar to their highest potential. Academic recognition in opportunities such as this are vital and should be counted among a student’s greatest achievements.”

Essay Winners

Alex Bryant (top left) a senior business major from Canton, Ga., took top honors for his essay, “Commercial Space Travel: Liberty and Opportunity.” Tirzah Carroll (top right), a junior music major from Ringgold, Ga., placed second with her essay, “The Value of Mercy.” Taking third place was Jessie Reed (bottom left), a freshman communications major from Ball Ground, Ga., with her essay, “The Lucky One.” Honorable Mention went to Brittney Hayes (bottom right), a freshman digital art and graphic design major from Fairmount, Ga., for her essay, “Marvel’s Avengers: An Inspiration.”

The winning submissions are posted on the Reinhardt University website (reinhardt.edu), will appear in the University’s literary magazine, Sanctuary, which is managed by Reinhardt Honors Program Coordinator Dr. Donna Coffey, and are available for reading in the Hill Freeman Library & Spruill Learning Center on Reinhardt’s campus in Waleska, Ga.

Judges and Benefactors

The contest was judged by Reinhardt faculty members Dr. Theresa Ast, interdisciplinary studies program coordinator and professor of history; Dr. Margaret Morlier, associate vice president for Graduate Studies and professor of English; and third-party judge Marcia K. Smith, a published and well-known author. Benefactors of this contest included Anton J. Zellman, who presented each of the winners with a copy of his book “I Read Minds—and So Do You,”  and Joan McFather, a resident of Canton, Ga., who sponsored the first place prize with a very generous donation.