J.E. Cosgriff Memorial student wins state essay contest

Photo courtesy of Kayla Smith

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Kathryn Morgan (left), and her daughter Jackie Morgan, a seventh-grade student at J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School, celebrate Jackie winning the ULCT essay contest.

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — Jackie Morgan, a J.E. Cosgriff Memorial School seventh-grade student, was honored at the Utah League of Cities and Towns (ULCT) fall conference at the Sheraton Hotel Friday, Sept. 11, for her first place essay in the 2009 “Why I Like My Community.”

“I chose to write about my neighborhood because it seems different from other neighborhoods I visit,” said Morgan. “I like all the people and the traditions we have.”

Each year the ULCT invites students in fourth and seventh grade to submit their stories about why living in Utah is so great.

“This essay contest encourages students to narrow their focus and write on a topic that is personal and relevant to them,” said Cindy Hunt, seventh-grade language arts teacher at Cosgriff.

Jackie’s essay was selected as the top seventh-grade essay in the state. “Writing the essay came naturally, I really didn’t have to think about it. I just wrote about the people around me,” said Jackie.

For winning, Jackie received $100 and was invited to read her essay in front of hundreds of community leaders at ULCT’s fall conference. “It was scary at first, but once I started reading it wasn’t so bad,” said Jackie. “I’m just glad I didn’t know ahead of time it would be so big!”

Because of Jackie’s writing skills, Cosgriff School was also presented with a check for $1,000.