INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Civil Rights Commission (ICRC) announced today the winners of their Third Annual Student Essay Contest. This year’s first place winner is Shelby Slaughter. Shelby wrote the essay during her spring semester of fifth grade at Stalker Elementary in Bedford, Indiana and is looking forward to starting sixth grade in the fall. Second and third place winners are Nethaneal Kent also from Bedford and Austin Betzold from Carmel, Indiana.
All of the winners will be honored at the Fifth Annual Civil Rights Night Game on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Victory Field. This year’s Civil Right Night, sponsored by the ICRC, will feature the first of a three game home series against the Norfolk Tides with the game set to begin at 7:15 pm.
“We are proud to host the Civil Rights Game again this year; it provides families an opportunity to share quality time on a special night,” said Ava Taylor, Events and Outreach Manager of the ICRC, “ICRC is dedicated to encouraging young minds to be engaged and motivated by education, the essay contest is a chance to do just that.”
The Student Essay Contest asked students to submit an essay which addressed the question: “Why is it important for ALL children to get a quality education?” The contest was open to all Indiana elementary school students in grades K-6.
Contest Results
First Place – Shelby Slaughter, 6th Grade, Bedford, Indiana
As the first place winner, Shelby will have her essay published in the Indianapolis Recorder and receive a personalized Indianapolis Clowns throwback jersey as worn by the Indians during the Fifth Annual Civil Rights Game on July 29, 2016. Her family will also receive tickets to the game and she will have the opportunity to throw out the first pitch with ICRC’s Executive Director Rick Hite.
Second Place – Nethaneal Kent, 6th Grade, Bedford, Indiana
As the second place winner, Nethaneal will receive an Indianapolis Indians T-shirt and tickets for his family to attend to the Fifth Annual Civil Rights Game on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Victory Field.
Third Place – Austin Betzold, 4th Grade, Carmel, IN
As the third place winner, Austin will receive a signed Rowdie baseball or an Indianapolis Indians souvenir bat and 4 tickets to the Fifth Annual Civil Rights Game on Friday, July 29, 2016 at Victory Field.
Additional sponsors for the game include: Indianapolis Recorder, La Voz De Indiana and Indiana Black Expo.