The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services today announced the winners of the eleventh annual Women Making History Essay Contest.

The contest, held every March since 1993, is part of the celebration of National Women's History Month. More than 2,200 eighth-grade girls and boys from across Ohio wrote essays about history making women. In addition to bringing attention to the many contributions of women, the contest challenges the entrants to use and improve their writing skills.

The top twenty students will be honored during an awards ceremony on March 20 at COSI Columbus, featuring keynote speaker and Ohio Women's Hall of Fame Member Janet E. Jackson, the first woman and first African American to head The United Way of Central Ohio. Stefanie Spielman, Hall of Fame Member and inspirational activist in the fight against breast cancer, will preside over the awards ceremony. Winners receive cash prizes of $100 for first place, $75 for second place and $50 for third place. The fourth place essay winners receive an honorable mention certificate. Gifts, provided by contest partners, are also awarded to students and their teachers.

The essay contest is administered by ODJFS with generous support from the following partners: Barnes & Noble Booksellers; International Association of Personnel in Employment Security; Ohio Department of Development, Small Business Development Center - Women's Business Resource Program; Ohio Department of Education; Ohio Department of Job and Family Services; Ohio Women's Hall of Fame; Ohio Women in Government; Statehouse Museum Shop; The Writers' Bloc, and USA Today.

Carolyn Casper-DuVall, (614) 466-4496

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Woman Making History Essay Contest Winners

Arts, Communication and Technology

1. Melissa Mullins, Indian Valley Middle School, Clark County
2. Mandy Hansen, Eisenhower Middle School, Lucas County
3. Alicia Fritz, James A. Garfield Middle School, Portage County
4. Mike Gregg, Fredericktown Intermediate School, Knox County

Athletics

1. Brandon Kill, McBroom Junior High School, Auglaize County
2. Tylor Muhlenkamp, Coldwater Junior High School, Mercer County
3. Kaitlyn Geiger, Eisenhower Middle School, Lucas County
4. Chelsea Fultz, J.A. Smith Middle School, Ross County

Business and Government

1. Vanessa Triplett, J.A. Smith Middle School, Ross County
2. Amanda Wallington, W.C. Handy Community Middle School for the Performing Arts, Franklin County
3. Lydia Ranly, Coldwater Junior High School, Mercer County
4. Steven Galli, Saint Agatha School, Franklin County

Education and Community Service

1. Emily Kennard, Rocky River Middle School, Cuyahoga County
2. Audrey Hoiles, Old Trail School, Summit County
3. Tiffany Reese, Meadowbrook Middle School, Guernsey County
4. Sarah Jones, Philo Junior High School, Muskingum County

Math, Science and Health Services

1. Traiana Amos, W.C. Handy Community Middle School for the Performing Arts, Franklin County
2. Gordon Shott, The Seven Hills School, Hamilton County
3. Kenan Diab, Birchwood School, Cuyahoga County
4. Marissa Lange, East Middle School, Lucas County

The schools with a first place winner are:

McBroom Junior High School, Auglaize County
Indian Valley Middle School, Clark County
J.A. Smith Middle School, Ross County
Rocky River Middle School, Cuyahoga County
W.C. Handy Middle School for the Performing Arts, Franklin County