Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum

Gerald R. Ford Museum
Exhibits, Events, Education Center

303 Pearl Street, NW
Grand Rapids, MI 49504

616-254-0400 (tel)
616-254-0386 (fax)

e-mail

Hours: 9:00am-5:00pm (Daily)
(Closed New Year's, Thanksgiving, & Christmas Days)

Gerald R. Ford Library
Research, Events, Small Exhibits

1000 Beal Avenue
Ann Arbor, MI 48109

734-205-0555 (tel)
734-205-0571 (fax)

e-mail

Hours: 8:45am-4:45pm (M-F)
(Closed Federal Holidays)

2009 Gerald R. Ford Essay Challenge

An annual essay competition for West Michigan High School students. This year, the theme was "The Meaning of Courage Today".

The 18 finalists were presented awards during a ceremony at the Ford Presidential Museum on Presidents Day, 2009. Marissa Freyling was the keynote speaker.

Winners:

First Place:
Martha Veldkamp
Calvin Christian High School
12th grade

Uncommon Courage In Coopersville, Michigan

Sarah DenBraber

Second Place:
Sara DenBraber
Catholic Central High School
9th grade

The Courage of a Lion

Third Place:
Rachel McDaniel
Allegan High School
12th grade

Courage Today

Honorable Mention:

Will Barkeley, Catholic Central High School, 10th grade

“...to give and not to count the cost, to fight and not to heed the wounds,...”

James Eugene Los, Holland Christian High School, 12th grade

President Gerald R. Ford

Kelly Witkowski, Kenowa Hills High School, 12th grade

When asked to think of courage...

Andrew Alt Just an Average Joe	Stephanie Banta Life, Fear, and Courage	Erik Bates Courage is Love
Adam Finney Courage	Lindsay Gutting America the Brave	Courtney Kokx The Heart of a Soldier
David Ludema Courage; The Greatest Gift Ever Given	David Moul lifeSTYLING Courage	Lisa Ndawillie The Meaning of Courage
Caroline Poole Courage	Matthew Roede What is Courage?	Megan Wilson The Meaning of Courage Today