This is the motive and purpose of my writing: *the projection of an ideal man*. The portrayal of a moral ideal, as my ultimate literary goal, as an end in itself--to which any didactic, intellectual or philosophical values contained in a novel are only the means.

2000 Anthem Essay Contest

Anthem Essay Winners

Winners:

Anthem Cover

First Place

  • Kate Stafford, Dighton Rehoboth Regional H.S., N Dighton, MA

Second Place

  • Daniel Findlay, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Ian Ehrlich, Bloomingdale H.S., Valrico, FL
  • Ariel Anderson, University H. S., Chicago, IL
  • Elinathan Ohiomoba, Milton Academy, Milton, MA
  • Justin Fowler, Millbrook H.S., Raleigh, NC
  • Rebecca Knapp, Academy For The Advancement Of Science Technology, Hackensack, NJ
  • Kaitlin McDonough, Randolph H.S., Randolph, NJ
  • Allison Massa, Dover Area H.S., Dover, PA
  • Rose Weill, Thomas Jefferson H.S. For Science & Tech., Alexandria, VA
  • Elaine Hart, Mt Rainer H.S., Des Moines, WA

Third Place

  • Allison Davis, West H.S., Anchorage, AK
  • Ben Whatley, Dothan H.S., Dothan, AL
  • Corinn Kopczynski, Los Angeles County H.S. For The Arts, Los Angeles, CA
  • Tania Henetz, Junipero Serra H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Michael Le, University Of San Diego H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Braden Meason, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Chika Anekwe, Bunnell H.S., Stratford, CT
  • Marcus Johnson, Jenkins High School, Savannah, GA
  • Rachel Charity Mazique, John Hersey H.S., Arlington Heights, IL
  • Hilary Queen, East Gaston H.S., Gastonia, NC
  • Meg Slachetka, Hackettstown H.S., Hackettstown, NJ
  • Melissa Brody, Benjamin N. Cardozo H. S., Bayside, NY
  • Jessica Kenyon, Marathon Central School, Marathon, NY
  • Rachael Tlumak, Miller Place H. S., Miller Place, NY
  • Emily Smith, Chagrin Falls H.S., Chagrin Falls, OH
  • Stacey Moritz, Maumee H.S., Maumee, OH
  • Jennifer Sherwood, Mercersburg Academy, Mercersburg, PA
  • Leath Bing, White Station H.S., Memphis, TN
  • Aaron Heckelman, Mirabeau B. Lamar H. S., Houston, TX
  • Jason Noel Mills, Norfolk Collegiate School, Norfolk, VA

Finalist

  • Katherine Hekman, Hilltop H.S., Chula Vista, CA
  • Momoko Sato, Ocean View H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Maureena Thompson, Morro Bay H.S., Morro Bay, CA
  • Lisa M Kodadek, San Marcos H.S., San Marcos, CA
  • Mark Elmer, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Conor Tochilin, The Westminster Schools, Atlanta, GA
  • Kate Kuehn, John Hersey H.S., Arlington Heights, IL
  • Priya Bhatia, Shawnee Mission West H.S., Overland Park, KS
  • Karyn Carmichael, Oscoda H.S., Oscoda, MI
  • Amber Morehouse, Durham Academy, Durham, NC
  • Liza Shaw, Gallup H.S., Gallup, NM
  • Jason Gabrielli, Bishop Manogue H.S., Reno, NV
  • Jeff Rakover, Brighton H.S., Rochester, NY
  • Rob Schrimpf, St Xavier H.S., Cincinnati, OH
  • Chad Slany, Lake Ridge Acadmey, North Ridgeville, OH
  • Scott Shimp, Wyoming H.S., Wyoming, OH
  • Ellen Schuler, South-doyle H.S., Knoxville, TN
  • Harry Gail, Grenhill School, Addison, TX
  • Sarah Beth Eisinger, Thomas Jefferson Hs For Science & Technology, Alexandria, VA
  • Kristin Yancey, King George H.S., King George, VA

Semi-Finalist

  • Kate Drolet, Heidelberg H.S., Apo, AE
  • Rebecca K Sanders, Heidelberg H. S., Apo, AE
  • Danielle Cuddy, East Anchorage H.S., Anchorage, AK
  • Melissa Humphrey, Nikiski Middle H.S., Nikiski, AK
  • Nigel Penhale, Nikiski Middle H.S., Nikiski, AK
  • Lynsey Riley, North Pulaski High School, Jacksonville, AR
  • Vanessa Michelle Sippel, Gilbert H. S., Gilbert, AZ
  • Joy Loase, University H.S., Tucson, AZ
  • Desiree Christensen, Yuma H.S., Yuma, AZ
  • Brendan W Flynn, Yuma H.S., Yuma, AZ
  • Csaba Petre, Agoura H.S., Agoura, CA
  • Tubal-cain Case, Carlsbad H.S., Carlsbad, CA
  • Yosun Chang, Mission San Jose H.S., Fremont, CA
  • Tiffany Chang, Troy H.S., Fullerton, CA
  • Becky Sawyer, Troy H.S., Fullerton, CA
  • Torie Hartge, Edison H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Brandon Kampschuur, Ocean View H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Edwin Kim, Ocean View H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Iris Ma, Ocean View H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Erin Savage, Ocean View H.S., Huntington Beach, CA
  • Emily Elizabeth Kerr Keaty, Marlborough School, Los Angeles, CA
  • Daniel K Lee, University H.S., Los Angeles, CA
  • Natasha Papalia, Pomona Catholic H.S., Pomona, CA
  • Kira Rubenthaler, Homeschooled, Potter Valley, CA
  • Lucas Laursen, John W North H.S., Riverside, CA
  • Rina Herzl, Patrick Henry H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Rishi Arora, University Of San Diego H. S., San Diego, CA
  • Catherine Camaya, University Of San Diego H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Lindsey Ott, University Of San Diego H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Beth Yandell, University Of San Diego H.S., San Diego, CA
  • Matt Squeri, St Ignatius College Prep, San Francisco, CA
  • ennifer Roit, Notre Dame H. S., San Jose, CA
  • Karen B Pinto, Santa Monica H. S., Santa Monica, CA
  • Miriam Nguyen, Van Nuys H.S., Van Nuys, CA
  • Rosanna Azanza, Victor Valley H.S., Victorville, CA
  • Esther Chen, Westlake H.S., Westlake Village, CA
  • Jonathan Tesch, Westlake H.S., Westlake Village, CA
  • Rachel Marx, Air Academy H.S., , CO
  • Katey Arnold, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Ryan Fante, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Tara Flaharty, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Megan Fromm, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Greg Hackett, Grand Junction H.S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Jenny Johnson, Grand Junction H. S., Grand Junction, CO
  • Sean Arendell, Greeley Central H.S., Greeley, CO
  • Justin O’rourke, Greeley Central H. S., Greeley, CO
  • Audra Thomas, Air Academy H. S., Usafa Colorado Springs, CO
  • Magdalena Szuminski, Rockville H. S., Vernon Rockville, CT
  • Danielle Lussier, Windham H.S., Willimantic, CT
  • Raymond Jimenez, Deltona H.S., Deltona, FL
  • Katherine Lee, North Miami Beach Sr. H.S., North Miami Beach, FL
  • Margaret Stanny, Pensacola H.S., Pensacola, FL
  • Christiana Gurgick, Chattahoochee H.S., Alpharetta, GA
  • Sydney Bufkin, Henry W Grady H.S., Atlanta, GA
  • Eric Knauft, Chamblee H.S., Chamblee, GA
  • Sarah Brooks, Lassiter H.S., Marietta, GA
  • Jillian Martin, Lassiter H.S., Marietta, GA
  • Sidney Trey Dennis Iii, Northgate H.S., Newnan, GA
  • Chad Alligood, Perry H.S., Perry, GA
  • Sebastian Hickey, James Campbell H.S., Ewa Beach, HI
  • Casey K Piedra, Kaimuki H.S., Honolulu, HI
  • Kristin Lee, City H.S., Iowa City, IA
  • Tiffany A Ringold, Sacajawea Jr. H.S., Lewiston, ID
  • Amy Sloan, Nampa Sr. H.S., Nampa, ID
  • Nathan Grigg, H.S.land H.S., Pocatello, ID
  • Julie Felsted, Pocatello H.S., Pocatellod, ID
  • Barbara Hewett, Pocatello H.S., Pocatellod, ID
  • Peter Bessette, Crown Point H.S., Crown Point, IN
  • John Dale Beety, Logansport H.S., Logansport, IN
  • Catherine Dea, Manchester H.S., North Manchester, IN
  • Rebecca Ramsey, Andover H.S., Andover, KS
  • Kelsey Walker, Mcpherson H. S., Mcpherson, KS
  • Brenna Sanefur, Shawnee Mission West H.S., Overland Park, KS
  • Mindy Liu, Wichita East H.S., Wichita, KS
  • Alexander Hall, Covington Latin School, Covington, KY
  • Doug Caverly, South Oldhamh.s., Crestwood, KY
  • Megan Butler, Amite H. S., Amite, LA
  • Abhishek Debchoudhury, Grace King H.S., Metairie, LA
  • Adnan Majid, Grace King H.S., Metairie, LA
  • Daniel Dritschel, Northshore H.S., Slidell, LA
  • Karyn Klein, Northshore H.S., Slidell, LA
  • Jackie Lehman, Northshore H.S., Slidell, LA
  • Miranda Miller, Thibodaux H.S., Thibodaux, LA
  • Justine C Hendricks, Havre De Grace H.S., Havre De Grace, MD
  • Adam Lowe, Salisbury Christian School, Salisbury, MD
  • Jen Colby, Westlake H. S., Waldorf, MD
  • Dylan Boyd, Boothbay Region H.S., Boothbay Harbor, ME
  • Ashley Taylor, Mount Desert Island H.S., Mount Desert, ME
  • John E Dewald, Jr, University Liggett H. S., Grosse Pointe Woods, MI
  • Timothy Hillukka, Buffalo H.S., Buffalo, MN
  • Lyn Kuda, Lakeland R-iii, Deepwater, MO
  • Jeff Hughes, Orchard Farm H.S., St Charles, MO
  • Tyler Altrup, Parkway West H.S., St. Louis, MO
  • Kyle Butler, Parkway West H. S., St. Louis, MO
  • Rebecca Tekautz, Parkway West H.S., St. Louis, MO
  • Ayesha Alam, William B Murrah H.S., Jackson, MS
  • Chris Raisl, Richey H. S., Richet, MT
  • Matt Raisl, Richey H.S., Richey, MT
  • Sage G Ford, Christ School, Arden, NC
  • Alicia Towler, South Mecklenburg H. S., Charlotte, NC
  • Summer Patterson, South Stanley H.S., Norwood, NC
  • Laura Stephens, Ravenscroft School, Raleigh, NC
  • Diana Betz, Holy Family Academy, Bayonne, NJ
  • Lauren Schmidt, Delran H.S., Delran, NJ
  • Sam Yospe, John P Stevens H.S., Edison, NJ
  • Elizabeth Farrelly, Bergen Academics, Hackensack, NJ
  • Peter Kuczynski, Mcnair Academic H.S., Jersey City, NJ
  • Laura Tillman, Columbia H. S., Maplewood, NJ
  • Rochelle Bloom, The Frisch School, Paramus, NJ
  • Tom Ganjamie, Randolph H.S., Randolph, NJ
  • Vicky Sprow, Randolph H.S., Randolph, NJ
  • Matthew Valvano, Randolph H.S., Randolph, NJ
  • Sarah Van Wagner, Scotch Plains Fanwood H.S., Scotch Plains, NJ
  • Anh-thu Ngo, Secaucus H.S., Secaucus, NJ
  • Rochelle Katheleen Brown, Eldorado H. S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Allison O’connor, Eldorado H. S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Weston Gaddy, La Cueva H. S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Kevin A Goulding, La Cueva H.S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Susie Morrison, La Cueva H.S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Caroline M Small, La Cueva H.S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Zach Crook, Manzano H. S., Albuquerque, NM
  • Jereau Cordell, Aztec H.S., Aztec, NM
  • Josh Bass, Benjamin N. Cardozo H.S., Bayside, NY
  • Esther Choe, Benjamin N. Cardozo H.S., Bayside, NY
  • Laura Hwang, Benjamin N. Cardozo H.S., Bayside, NY
  • Suvadip Bose, Floral Park Memorial H.S., Floral Park, NY
  • Daniel Alterbaum, Great Neck South H.S., Great Neck, NY
  • Quinn Gardner, Homer H. S., Homer, NY
  • Julie Hempson, Homer H.S., Homer, NY
  • Ashley Scheck, Miller Place H.S., Miller Place, NY
  • Louise Wong, Huntercollege H. S., New York, NY
  • Ilena C George, Stuyvesant H.S., New York, NY
  • Jonah Shulman, The Ramaz Upper School, New York, NY
  • Holly Ward, Webster H.S., Webster, NY
  • Jessica Cataldi, Webster Sr. H.S., Webster, NY
  • Leah Ferrante, Webster Sr. H.S., Webster, NY
  • Ashleigh Gordon, Webster Sr. H.S., Webster, NY
  • Eric Heveron-smith, Webster Sr. H. S., Webster, NY
  • Jonathan T Savella, Webster Sr. H.S., Webster, NY
  • Matt Lindgren, Mariemont H.S., Cincinnati, OH
  • Joy Hoeffler, Fairview H. S., Fairview Park, OH
  • Kathryn Mcfarland, Lancaster H.S., Lancaster, OH
  • Christa Lynn Evans, Cherokee H.S., Cherokee, OK
  • Grant P Wilson, Duncan H.S., Duncan, OK
  • Christine Heuser, Tualatin H.S., Tualatin, OR
  • Sarah Forster, Beaver Area H.S., Beaver, PA
  • Chelsea Byers, Keystone National H. S., Brloomsburg, PA
  • Candi Markle, Butler Area Interm H.S., Butler, PA
  • Lindsay Rutt, Cocalico H.S., Denver, PA
  • Thomas J Amorim, Haverford Sr. H.S., Havertown, PA
  • David Coughlin, Haverford Sr. H.S., Havertown, PA
  • James Bryant Murdoch, Haverford Sr. H.S., Havertown, PA
  • Abby Rotzell, Haverford Sr. H.S., Havertown, PA
  • Tom Bender, Fox Chapel Area H.S., Pittsburg, PA
  • Dhyana Giesler, Red Lion Area Sr. H.S., Red Lion, PA
  • Alex Perkins, Elizabethton H.S., Elizabethton, TN
  • Jonathan Lusardi, Friendship Christian School, Lebanon, TN
  • Kev Adler, White Station H.S., Memphis, TN
  • Tina Thompson, Cannon County H. S., Woodbury, TN
  • Mark Stein, Allen H.S., Allen, TX
  • Mark Peikert, Dickinson H.S., Dickson, TX
  • Casey Reinschmidt, Dickinson H.S., Dickson, TX
  • Meggie Chauvin, Mirabeau B. Lamar H.S., Houston, TX
  • Abby Jenkins, Mirabeau B. Lamar H.S., Houston, TX
  • Winnie Kellogg, Mirabeau B. Lamar H.S., Houston, TX
  • Dmitry Khabashesku, Mirabeau B. Lamar H.S., Houston, TX
  • Meredith Steele, Mirabeau B. Lamar H.S., Houston, TX
  • Kathryn Wheat, Spring Woods H.S., Houston, TX
  • Bentley Martin, Keller H.S., Keller, TX
  • Justin Osborn, Keller H.S., Keller, TX
  • Katie Peebles, Keller H.S., Keller, TX
  • Katherine Becker, Clear Creek H.S., League City, TX
  • Lauren Defrank, Clear Creek H.S., League City, TX
  • Whitney Todd, Clear Creek H.S., League City, TX
  • James S Wisniewski, Clear Creek H.S., League City, TX
  • Joe Vavra, Allen H.S., Lucas, TX
  • Sarah Carlson, Douglas Macarthur H.S., San Antonio, TX
  • Sara George, Douglas Macarthur H.S., San Antonio, TX
  • Megan Krueger, Douglas Macarthur H.S., San Antonio, TX
  • Debra Trevino, Douglas Macarthur H. S., San Antonio, TX
  • Susanna Tullius, Douglas Macarthur H.S., San Antonio, TX
  • Sarah Elizabeth Martinez, Stroman H.S., Victoria, TX
  • Ryan Rose Weaver, Fairfield Jr. H.S., Kaysville, UT
  • Daniel Higginbotham, Heritage H.S., Lynchburg, VA
  • Leah Short, William Fleming H.S., Roanoke, VA
  • Ayanna Khalsa, Colonia Forge H.S., Stafford, VA
  • Kelly Proctor, Saint Margaret’s School, Tappahannock, VA
  • Jack Bader, Mount Rainier H.S., Des Moines, WA
  • Annie Chou, Shorecrest H.S., Seattle, WA
  • Kelly Smith, John Rogers H.S., Spokane, WA
  • Will Mcginty, North Central H.S., Spokane, WA
  • Aaron Beamguard, Skyview H.S., Vancouver, WA
  • Scott Schmick, John Edweards High, Port Edwards, WI
  • Abigail Bimman, The Academy For Gifted Children—P.a.c.e, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
  • Shirley Srubiski, The Academy For Gifted Children—P.a.c.e, Richmond Hill, ON, Canada
  • Xiaoxuan Jin, Hon Vincent Massey Secondary School, Windsor, ON, Canada
  • Marsha Samantha Lobo, Rahima Academy, Al-hobar, , Saudi Arabia
  • Nancy Moufied Temraz, Rahima Academy, Al-hobar, , Saudi Arabia
  • Chin-hao Huang, Ruamrudee International School, Minburi, Bangkok, Thailand