Congratulations to the Upper and Middle School students who have been named finalists in Whitefield's inaugural Carver-Wheatley Award program. Upper School finalists are: Caroline Holliday, Katie Mitcham, Austin Joseph, Marcus Jones, Annie Sickling, Kathryn Grace Faulk, Ryann Farmer, Jeremiah Cowan, Iman Eaton, and Austin Thompson. Middle School finalists are: Matthew Cofield, Sherina Thomas, Zachary Justice, Keene White, Julia Mixon, Marin Winter, Melissa Lezcano, Olivia Nandkeolyar, Katie Cella, and Casey Bowman.
The award was estblished this year as part of Whitefield's ongoing commitment to both furthering
Christian academic excellence and celebrating the racial, ethnic, and economic diversity within the body of Christ. The purpose of the award is to promote deeper thinking among our student body about the integrated lives that Christians are called to live. This award is named in honor of both George Washington Carver, acclaimed scientist and researcher, and Phyllis Wheatley, noted 18th century poet and author, who were profound contributors to American life.
To enter the ocmpetition, students wrote essays on the topic below:
Like a tapestry, woven together from many threads, the United States of America emerged from a world of different threads. While many Americans chose to emigrate here, others came involuntarily. Despite the difficult circumstances of their first centuries in this country, African-Americans have transformed American culture in areas as different as science and music; literature and cooking; politics and sports. The theme of our initial Carver-Wheatley Essay Contest is that transformation: How is your life different today because of the role that African-Americans have played in shaping this country? Choose at least two different figures and explain how their contributions to American culture have shaped your own life.
A winner will be chosen from each division and announced during Honors Day in April.