TEAM Westport Announces Winners for Essay Contest

Westport’s 2022 Teen Diversity Essay Contest Awards Ceremony was held on Monday, April 4th at the Westport Library.  The contest, co-sponsored by TEAM Westport and the Westport Library, was the ninth annual.

For First, Second, and Third place winners, the Contest presents awards of $1,000.00, $750.00, and $500.00 respectively. This year’s essay challenge was:

“Why can it be so difficult to talk about race? Trevor Noah, award winning comedian, writer, and television host from South Africa, says “... the first thing we have to do in any conversation is figure out what the words mean in the conversation that we’re having.” In 1000 words or fewer, describe what you would like to explain to people in your community who avoid or struggle with talking about race or acknowledging systemic racism, or who apply a colorblind approach to issues.”

This year’s winning essayists are First Place: Ian Patton (11th grade), Second Place: Colin Morgeson (11th grade) and Third Place: Leigh Foran (10th grade). All are Staples High School students.

Ian Patton’s first place essay, “How To Be A Good White Person” explored the challenge from the perspective of identity. Colin Moredon’s essay, “Villains of Our Stories” took second place and focused on the Critical Race Theory meme. Third place essayist, Leigh Foran’s “Embracing Privilege to Tackle Racism” plumbed the dynamics of privilege to address the challenge.

According to TEAM Westport Chair Harold Bailey, “The capability to talk about race is critical to the resolution of one of our nation’s ‘centuries old’ disconnects. Yet such discussions often get derailed before they begin by various layers of murkiness and misunderstanding. What is so impressive and consistent among each of this year’s winning essays is the clarity with which they diagnose the hurdles and offer solutions despite their different perspectives.”

“I want to express my appreciation to TEAM Westport and the Library for conducting this annual event and for providing our youth with the opportunity to explore the issue of race from different viewpoints and perspectives,” commented First Selectwoman Jen Tooker. “My heartfelt congratulations to the contest winners and appreciation to all the young people who participated in this important civic event.”

“Connecting and engaging the community in timely and topical conversations is a fundamental purpose of a public library,” remarked Westport Library Executive Director Bill Harmer.  “Having teens explore how race is woven into the fabric of American society is an example of how the Library is fulfilling this important aspect of our mission.”

Link to Winning Essays: https://www.westportct.gov/home/showdocument?id=57738&t=637846640429575282