Annual Essay contest

Lillie Olson: (GPHS Freshman), 1st place winner of the “Imagine A Day Without Water” Essay Contest:

Question: What made you want to apply to the “Imagine A Day Without Water” Essay Contest, and how did you approach the writing process?

Answer: "I got an email about it and I read through it. I didn't have a lot going on at that time so I decided that I'd at least make an outline and see if I could take it anywhere decent before actually committing to it. It was kind of just an option to help fill time, especially since I don't have an English class this semester. I was trying to make sure I didn't get rusty at writing. As it turned out, I had the whole thing rough drafted in an hour, so I committed to it after that."

Q: How did you feel when you heard the great news?

A: "I had forgotten that I had submitted it, so I was immensely surprised when I got the call. I had never even thought I would win third place, so to be told that I was the first place winner was very stunning."

Q: What advice do you offer to other people who might apply to either this specific writing contest or another writing competition?

A: "Just to try to make sure that your voice comes out in your writing so that it's more unique and genuine. Also thinking from different or unusual perspectives helps a lot."

Q: Do you have any ambitions for future competitive essay contests or scholarships?

A: "I don't currently know of any other competitive essay contests that I plan on participating in."

Q: What do you plan to do with your prize money?

A: "My prize money will probably go into my college savings account."

Ginger Bliss: (GPHS Freshman), 3rd place winner of the “Imagine A Day Without Water” Essay Contest:

Question: What made you want to apply to the “Imagine A Day Without Water” Essay Contest?

Answer: "What made me want to apply was the lack of actually doing anything academic in a while because I am new to Grants Pass, and with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, I was out of 8th-grade year early. Also, I wanted to see if I had what it took to be one of the winners of the ''Imagine a Day Without Water'' Essay Contest."

Q: How did you approach the writing process?

A: "For my essay, I used an informational-persuasive technique instead of putting it as something simple; because the issue goes beyond not being able to brush our teeth and shower; it goes to our ecosystems, our nervous, and immune systems."

Q: How did you feel when you heard the good news?

A: "I got the news on October 20th, and when my mom came out, she sounded like I was getting in trouble, but she handed me the phone, and a woman says to me, "Hello Ginger, I would like to congratulate you on winning third place in the essay contest, and would also like to tell you that the judges loved your essay, and were surprised you are only fourteen." When she told me, I almost didn't believe it. My family and I were very proud and excited because we knew that I had just won a $25 gift card. I wished I had gotten 1st place, but my little sister came in and told me, ''You know, you may not have gotten first, but you did better than everyone else. That is like being first because you, my sissy, are in the top three.'' That made me so proud, and I realized I really did, and still can't believe it."

Q: What advice do you offer to other people who might apply to either this specific writing contest or another writing competition?

A: "I think you should just go for it because you never know what could happen. You may win or you may not, but either way, the experience will be fun, and you will have something to put on a college application, or on a resume for the job you want, so just go for it!"

Q: Do you have any ambitions for future competitive essay contests or scholarships?

A: "I did this competitive essay contest for fun, but if more come up, I might compete to become a better writer."

Q: What do you plan to do with your prize money?

A: "I am going to put together 75% of it along with some other money and starting a college fund."