University of Texas at Austin announces winners of Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition

April 29, 2002

AUSTIN, Texas—Charlandria Stewart, a senior at Madison High School in San Antonio, won first place in the annual Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition for her essay titled, "Robert Lewis Gilbert." Stewart received a $2,500 scholarship award and a gold commemorative trophy at an awards ceremony April 19 at The University of Texas at Austin.

Jessica Coburn, a freshman at Copperas Cove High School in Copperas Cove, won second place, receiving a $1,500 scholarship award for her essay titled, "James Farmer: Visionary Texan."

Stacey Moore, a junior at Robert E. Lee High School in Midland, won third place, receiving a scholarship of $1,000 for her essay titled, "Primary Colors: Dr. Lawrence A. Nixon's Fight to Eliminate the White Primary."

Winners were honored at an awards ceremony at The University of Texas at Austin, sponsor of the competition. In addition to the scholarship recipients 23 students selected from across the state won commemorative medallions.

Essay winners include Lillian Barry, Beaumont; Rachel Berry, Liberty; Shomari Black, Spring; Jordan Claus, Rio Hondo; Ashley Cooper, Dallas; Laura Cummings, Borger; Janell Davila, San Antonio; Erin Evans, Garland; Margaret Galbraith, Austin, Jameslon Knowles, Port Arthur; Whitney McCarthy, Rio Hondo; Barbara McNealy, Midland; Vanessa Mendez, Dallas; James Patrick Nance, Austin; Mary Pilson, Houston; and Tiffaney Robinson, Wichita Falls.

Also winning were Gerald Roebuck, San Antonio; Austin Sears, Clarendon; Matthew Sibley, Austin; Cicily Smith, Fort Worth; Jessica Smith, Midland; Brittany Steward, Fort Worth, and Abby Turner, Liberty.

The Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition, sponsored by the University of Texas at Austin Office of Community Relations, is open to all Texas students in grades nine through 12. The event is designed to encourage students to research and write 1,500- to 2,500-word essays related to the theme of the competition, "The African American in Texas: Past and Present." Winning essays are archived in the Center for American History at The University of Texas at Austin.

For further information contact: Deborah Duval, Office of Community Relations (512) 232-7599.