Chief Moses students win essay contest

MOSES LAKE — Writing about educational experiences helped two Chief Moses Middle School students win an essay contest and a trip to Washington, D.C.

Eighth-graders Allie White and Allison Hammer participated in the national Gear Up contest, writing about what being involved in the program has meant to them. Gear Up is a program intended to increase student and parent awareness of post-secondary education and career options to promote college attendance.

The Gear Up Harvest of Hope grant given to Chief Moses provides extra curricular activities for students, study halls where they can receive help with homework, peer tutoring and college visits. White and Hammer have been involved in the program since sixth grade.

“I thought the two essays were terrific,” said Rachel Weaver, Gear Up site manager at Chief Moses. “They are both great writers and I am really proud of them.”

White wrote about her experience as a peer tutor in the program. She tutors sixth grade students during their English class.

“I wrote about all my experiences as a tutor,” White said. “I have really learned new things from the students. They have taught me to question everything, to always have fun and work on learning something new every day.”

Hammer wrote her essay about the importance of making plans.

“Gear Up taught me that anyone can succeed,” she said. “You have to have a plan in order to achieve what you want.”

The two students’ essays were selected by judges at Gear Up’s main headquarters. White and Hammer were the only two middle school students in their area to win the contest.

“When I heard I won, I started crying and freaking out a little,” Hammer said. “Allie and I are friends, so that made winning even better.”

White said she loves writing and it comes easy to her.

“I just sat down with a piece of paper and let the words come to me,” she said.

A technological malfunction caused Hammer trouble during her writing process.

“I wrote my essay and then lost it on the computer the day it was due,” she recalled. “I typed it on a computer at school and sent it about 40 minutes before it was due.”

White and Hammer said they didn’t have trouble coming up with a topic because they believe the program helped them grow as students.

“It really has changed me,” Hammer said. “It gave me a better understanding of my study habits and helped me become a better student.”

White feels working as a peer tutor shaped her views.

“I used to think that since I am an eighth-grader, I am really mature,” she said. “But, really, I’ve learned that I am still young and have a lot to learn.”

The girls leave for the convention in Washington, D.C., July 18. While there, White and Hammer will meet with other Gear Up students and parents to participate in various activities and sightsee.

“We are most excited to see the White House and the Holocaust museum,” White said.