Essay Contest – Winners Announced!
The Burr Oak Cemetery Memorial Project is proud to announce the winners of the Burr Oak Cemetery Essay Competition. The purpose of the competition was to teach the complete story of this historic African American cemetery, with the contest themes being Dignity, Honor and Respect. The competition was open to all Chicago area high school and junior high school students.
Congratulations to the following winners:
High School
Burr Oak Cemetery Memorial Program Director Rasheda Ali, Hall of Fame Member and Philanthropist, Gale Sayers shown with first place Essay Competition Winners Nicholas Martinez, Phillip Richardson and Dontrell Brown, Burr Oak Memorial Project Education Director Jeff Yarbough, and John O’ Sullivan, Burr Oak Cemetery Local Municipal Liaison
Topic #1 – Personal friend or public figure laid to rest at Burr Oak
First Place – Dwight D. Eisenhower: Jose Bernales
Second Place – CHAS: Wesley Cove
Third Place – Chicago Bulls College Prep: Malik Conley
Topic #2 – Establishing Burr Oak Cemetery during The Great Migration
First Place – Homewood-Flossmoor: Teresa Jackson
Second Place – Shepard: Nathnaiel Gibson
Third Place – Dwight D Eisenhower: Jose C. Robles
Topic #3 – Role of The Chicago Defender in reporting news in African-American Community during establishment of Burr Oak Cemetery
First Place – Alan B. Shepard: Nicholas Martinez
Second Place – Alan B. Shepard: Alexander Bohm
Third Place – Chicago High School for the Arts: Jhaianne Cooper
Topic #4 – Significance of Emmitt Till’s death and impact on the American Civil Rights Movement
Burr Oak Cemetery Essay Competition Winners
First Place – Alan B. Shepard, Monica Bora
Second Place – CHAS, Joy Triezenberg
Third Place – King College Prep, Bucky Tabit
Fourth Place – Urban Prep: Jeremiah Phelps & King College Prep: Bryanna Tart
Topic #5 – Importance of Earl B Dickerson’s career as lawyer saving Burr Oak Cemetery
First Place – Eisenhower: Takiyah Anderson
Second Place – Richards: Kevin Kozik
Third Place – Alan B. Shepard: Itzell Villegas
Topic #6 – Negro League Baseball members buried at Burr Oak Cemetery/significance
First Place – Chicago Bulls College Prep: Stephanie Ramos
Left to right: Judge Patricia Brown Holmes, Jeremiah Phelps (Essay Contest Winner from Urban Prep), Rasheda Ali and Jeff Yarbrough
Second Place – Homewood-Flossmoor: Durman Z. Jackson
Third Place – Leo: James Fagan
Topic #7 – How did Chicago Blues, Jazz, and Gospel music create voice for African- Americans during Great Migration
First Place – Hillcrest: Philip Richardson
Second Place – Richards High School: Roxane Segina
Third Place – Alan B. Shepard: Ashley Kamholz
Middle School
Two essay contest winners join Rasheda Ali-Walsh, spokesperson for the Burr Oak Cemetery Memorial Project, on WVON’s Talk It Out with Maze and Monique.Top Photo from left to right: Maze Jackson, Nia Curtis (Pershing West Middle School), Nicholas Martinez (Alan B Shepard High School), Rasheda Ali-Walsh, Monique Spence
Topic #1 – Personal friend or public figure laid to rest at Burr Oak
First Place – Ariel Community Academy: Lawrence C. Kilgore-Wooden
Second Place – Pershing West Middle School: Marshawn J. Frencha
Third Place – Bronzeville Lighthouse: Ivan Henry
Topic #2 – Subject of your choice which strongly relates to Burr Oak Cemetery
First Place – Holy Angels Catholic: Dontrell Brown
Second Place – CICS Longwood: Tharrin Nickson Jr.
Third Place – CICS Longwood: Demitri De’Trayon
Topic #3 – Significance of an African-American Cemetery established during the Great Migration
First Place – Rosa L. Parks Middle School: Christina Gutierrez
Second Place – Pershing West Middle School: Blossom Mojekwu
Third Place – CICS Longwood: Kennedi Marshall
Topic #4 – Role of The Chicago Defender in reporting news in African-American Community during establishment of Burr Oak Cemetery
First Place – Pershing West Middle School: Nia Curtis
Second Place – Holy Angels Catholic: Chioma Mogbo
Third Place – Morgan Park HS: Paul V. Gilbert
High School Prizes will be cash; First Place ($500), Second Place ($400), and Third Place ($300).
Middle School prizes will be cash; First Place ($300), Second Place ($200), and Third Place ($100).
All participants will receive a McDonald’s meal certificate.
Winners will also be invited to attend and speak at the Burr Oak Memorial Banquet and receive coaching from the Gayle Sayers Foundation.
Thank you to all the teachers and students who took the time and effort to participate
in this significant Essay Competition.