Bethany students win essay contest
by Mennonite Central CommitteePrint Article Email to a Friend
WASHINGTON—For the first time ever, winners of the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Washington Office Annual Public Policy Essay Contest were from the same school.
Students from Bethany Christian High School in Goshen, Ind., took first, second and third prizes in the contest, which drew submissions from across the United States.
The Washington Office holds its annual essay contest to promote churchwide awareness of significant public policy issues and to encourage youth understanding of the relationship of faith to public policy. This year, students were asked to write essays on one of four topics: the U.S.-Iran nuclear conflict, climate change, U.S. border policy or military recruitment.
Matt Thomas claimed first place for his essay “Have Dominion Over the Earth,” which challenges the belief that the earth’s condition is irrelevant for Christians because Christ will return.
Meg Kennel, who took second, also wrote about climate change. “Christians have a biblical, moral and spiritual obligation to nurture the earth,” she wrote, “… not only because they have been given stewardship of the planet but also because they are compelled to care for our global family.”
Rachel Lanctot and Hannah Roth tied for third place. Lanctot addressed unjust military recruitment, calling the current enrollment system a “poverty draft.” Roth explored the militarization of the U.S.-Mexico border and urged readers to pay attention to the welfare of individuals.—MCC
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