Reed Fralick & Ani Golembiewski Take Home Cash Prizes in the History Essay Contest!
Central Elementary School third grader Reed Fralick and Sheridan Elementary third grader Ani Golembiewski are likely thinking about things other than local history today after being presented with cash awards from their history essays submitted to the Emmet County Historical Commission.
Reed Fralick won $100 as the first place winner in the contest. His essay title “The McGulpin Point Lighthouse” really impressed the judges, since he is a descendant of Patrick McGulpin, who sold the land to The United States Lighthouse Board to build McGulpin Point Lighthouse from 1866 to 1869.
Ani Golembiewski’s essay titled “How Petoskey got its name” earned her $50 as runner-up in the contest, and referenced the word Petoskey is a native word that translates to “Rays of Light”.
The teacher of the student with the winning essay also receives a $50 prize for classroom supplies. Nikky Willison, third grade teacher from Central Elementary earned the prize this year as the teacher of Fralick.
County Commissioner Mike Wargel presented Reed and Ani with their cash prize at the Emmet County Building on Monday. Wargel was joined by Historical Commission Vice Chair Frank Hawthorne.
The funds for the essay contest are donated by the Bob Schulze Fund for Creative Writing held at the Petoskey-Harbor Springs Area Community Foundation. Schulze’s widow, Suzanne, served for many years on the Emmet County Historical Commission. Bob Schulze was instrumental in establishing funds that help encourage area youth to write essays and poetry.
The essay contest is held annually with information posted to the Emmet County website and Facebook page at the beginning of each year. All third and fourth grade students in Emmet County, including homeschooled children, are eligible to enter an essay in the contest.