February 27, 2007

HUMAN RELATIONS ESSAY WINNERS ANNOUNCED

The Pasadena City Council and the Human Relations Commission honored winners of the 14th annual Human Relations Essay Contest for high school students last night during the council meeting.

The students were asked to write an essay with the theme “What Can I Do to Improve Human Relations in the Pasadena Area?” First place winner Whitney Harrison, a senior at John Muir High School, received a $1,000 award.

“As a very involved student of a public school, I have a great opportunity to help the cause of eliminating Pasadena’s pernicious separation in education between the upper and lower classes, Harrison writes in the winning essay. “I could utilize all the resources Pasadena has to offer and hopefully help change the common but false perceptions.”

All winners are John Muir High School students. The second place winner of $500 is Gregory C. Warner, a senior; third place honors and $250 went to Alma Paredes, a senior. Honorable mentions and $50 were awarded to junior Veronica Acosta; and to seniors Elizabeth Aoki, David Banuelos, Robert Braden, Chariti Bruce, Tina Currano, Antwon Holloway, Latisha Miller-Simmons, Kiani Anais Profit and Amber Trejo.

John Muir High School English teacher Mary Eyer won $150 for having the first place winner from her class and $150 for the most entries.

The essay contest is sponsored by the Pasadena Human Relations Commission. Funding is provided by private donations, California National Bank, Citigroup, Light of Love Mission Church, Pasadena Federal Credit Union and Parsons.

For more information call (626) 744-4234.