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.

2004 Anthem Essay Contest

Anthem Essay Winners

Winners:

Anthem Cover

First Place

  • Rachel Singh, Boston Latin Academy, Chestnut Hill, MA
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Second Place

  • Heide Jackson, Lake Havasu HS, Lake Havasu City, AZ
  • Tung Nguyen, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Jingyi Liu, Beverly Hills HS, Los Angeles, CA
  • Charlotte Seid, Thomas Jefferson HS for Science and Technology, Clifton, VA
  • Margaret Somerset, Salem HS, Salem, MA

THIRD PLACE

  • Hillary Green, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Anni Zhu, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Lisa Neigut, Clear Lake HS, Houston, TX
  • Mary Mao, Clear Lake HS, Houston, TX
  • Tracy Forbath, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Rachel Wolf, Palo Alto HS, Palo Alto, CA
  • Zina Alam, Corona Del Sol HS, Tempe, AZ
  • Gregory Hart, Scarsdale HS, Scarsdale, NY
  • Elizabeth Pocivasek, Alleman HS, Rock Island, IL

Finalist

  • Katie Bradley, Mathews HS, Fowler, OH
  • Colin Jackson, Hazleton Area HS, Hazleton, PA
  • Michael Vetter, Hermitage HS, Glen Allen, VA
  • Elizabeth Gallagher, Rocky River HS, Rocky River, OH
  • Shayna Borland, Saint Cloud HS, Saint Cloud, FL
  • Jacob Crane, Lewisville HS North, Lewisville, TX
  • Josephine Tung, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Kaitlin Halibozek, Berlin HS, Berlin, CT
  • Monisha Chakravarthy, The Harpeth Hall School, Nashville, TN
  • Daniel Nguyen, Winter Park HS, Orlando, FL
  • Mercer Aplin, Kula HS and Intermediate, Kilauea, HI
  • Alex Soble, Highland Park HS, Highland Park, IL
  • Ethan Dubin, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA
  • Patrick Cooper-McCann, Bishop Foley Catholic HS, Hazel Park, MI
  • Namgiao (N.G) Do, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Michael Ross, Grand Junction HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Sarah Davis, Grand Junction HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Randi Elliot, Clear Lake HS, Grand Jct, CO
  • Stefan Kling, Douglas Southall Freeman HS, Richmond, VA
  • Michael Hamby, Douglas Southall Freeman HS, Richmond, VA
  • Helen Zhang, Pioneer HS, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Sarah Coleman, Stanton College Preparatory School, Jacksonville, FL
  • Daniel Sharp, Cactus HS, Glendale, AZ
  • Colin Needham, Cumberland Valley HS, Mechanicsburg, PA
  • Lauren LaMontagne, Weddington HS, Waxhaw, NC
  • Qian-Qian Liu, Dulaney HS, Timonium, MD
  • Julie Hersh, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Michele Hong, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Khusbu Shakafi, Stanton College Preparatory School, Jacksonville, FL
  • Whitney Bronson, East Bladen HS, Elizabethtown, NC
  • Sherry Wang, Chattahooche HS, Alpharetta, GA
  • Sophie Creuty, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Sydney Creutz, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Ingrid Rembold, Albermarle HS, Charlottesville, VA
  • Alicia Modeen, Rockville HS, Vernon, CT
  • Sara Sheehan, Pueblo South HS, Colorado City, CO
  • Emily Sicard, South Haven HS, South Haven, MI
  • Neil Sawhney, Pittsford Mendon HS, Pittsford, NY
  • Megan Elsenbeck, Brookwood HS, Lilburn, GA
  • Caitlin Canney, Arlington Catholic HS, Medford, MA
  • Alexandra Mondini, Walter E. Stebbins HS, Riverside, OH
  • Gary Zhang, Columbus Academy, Dublin, OH
  • Ciara O’Neill, Chippewa Falls Senior HS, Cadott, WI
  • Elizabeth Gunderson, Southfield-Lathrup HS, Southfield, MI
  • Tracy Gold, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Townson, MD
  • Alex Ingraham, Salem HS, Salem, MA

Semi-Finalist

  • Aaron Airmet, Layton HS, Layton, UT
  • Katherine Anderson, Bangor HS, Bangor, ME
  • Paige Bailey, Whitney HS, Whitney, TX
  • David Blanco, Clear Lake HS, Houston, TX
  • Nathan Brei, International School of Dusseldorf, Weeze, Germany
  • Stephanie Brue, Saint Cloud HS, St Cloud, FL
  • Clinton Cohen, Floyd County HS, Indian Valley, VA
  • Jessi Garrison, Keller HS, Roanoke, TX
  • Nik Griffith, CM Russell HS, Great Falls, MT
  • Alexandra Harmon, North Canyon HS, Phoenix, AZ
  • Elizabeth Kane, East Hampton HS, East Hampton, NY
  • Caitlin Krause, Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Warrenville, IL
  • Emma Lund, Timbercrest Junior HS, Woodinville, WA
  • Maggie McVey, Timbercrest Junior HS, Woodinville, WA
  • Noreen Nasir, Grayslake Community HS, Grayslake, IL
  • Steven Prostko, Lewisville HS North, Lewisville, TX
  • Laura Provolt, Arcata HS, Eureka, CA
  • Ushma Shah, Lewisville HS, Lewisville, TX
  • Rachel Smith, Milford HS, Milford, MA
  • Andy Xu, Delran HS, Delran, NJ
  • Laura Hunter, Mountain Empire HS, Campo, CA
  • Jeremy Pingul, Pike HS, Indianapolis, IN
  • Niyatee Samudra, The Hockaday School, Plano, TX
  • Hyejin Rhee, Seminole HS, Heathrow, FL
  • Susannah Colt, Deerfield Academy, Whately, MA
  • Mengfei Chen, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Michael Theis, Canby HS, Canby, OR
  • Holly Fischer, Irvine HS, Irvine, CA
  • Daniel Brasher, Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School, Birmingham, AL
  • Zachary Summitt, Dobyns Bennett HS, Kingsport, TN
  • Martha McAdams, Alleluia Community School, Augusta, GA
  • Michael Schra, Merritt Island HS, Merritt Island, FL
  • Christina de Villier, LaGrande Middle School, LaGrande, OR
  • Emily Glasgow, Governor Thomas Johnson HS, Frederick, MD
  • Matthew Cho, Central HS, Fort Worth, TX
  • Allison Smith, Clarksville HS, Annona, TX
  • Aaron Moreng, Grand Junction HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Abbie Woodbury, Grand Junction HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Douglas Jacob Jr., Grand Junction HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Karis Hawkins, Maud HS, Maud, OK
  • Kris Means, Clear Lake HS, Grand Junction, CO
  • Anne Hodgkinson, Alliance Academy, Quito, Pichinc Ecuador
  • Emily Sullivan, Douglas Freeman HS, Richmond, VA
  • Crystal Bae, Dulaney HS, Lutherville, MD
  • Praise Oh, Fox Chapel Area HS, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Stephanie Waltz, Bedford North Lawrence HS, Norman, IN
  • Dominique Yonker, Wheaton Warrenville South HS, Wheaton, IL
  • Andrew Morrison, Covington Latin School, Crescent Springs, KY
  • Jeffrey Solimine, Milford HS, Milford, MA
  • Emily Fiocco, Central HS, La Crosse, WI
  • Jake Brierley, Quartz Hill HS, Lancaster, CA
  • Lana Tong, Mission San Jose HS, Fremont, CA
  • Isha Saini, Pittsford Sutherland HS, Pittsford, NY
  • Hann-Shuin Yew, Lynbrook HS, San Jose, CA
  • Cindy Kaing, Haverford HS, Havertown, PA
  • Lamia Mamoon, California HS, San Ramon, CA
  • Gavin C. Wandrey, Kenston HS, Chagrin Falls, OH
  • Tyler Fox, The Academy for Gifted Children-P.A.C.E., Kettleby, ON Canada
  • Nicole Gounalis, Union Endicott HS, Endicott, NY
  • Joachim Hartje, Stanton College Preparatory School, Neptune Bch, FL
  • Trevor Ollar, Stanton College Preparatory School, Jacksonville, FL
  • Danielle Larson, Bishop Kelly HS, Meridian, ID
  • Kate Bancroft, Dulaney HS, Timonium, MD
  • Pranay Angara, John Jay Senior HS, Hopewell Junction, NY
  • Michael Vick, F.J. Reitz HS, Evansville, IN
  • Meagan Gierth, South Doyle HS, Knoxville, TN
  • Megan Richman, Elk Grove HS, Elk Grove, CA
  • Erick Rogemoser, Victor Central HS, Farmington, NY
  • Michelle Rolewicz, Cinco Ranch HS, Katy, TX
  • Erica Hughley, Cinco Ranch HS, Katy, TX
  • Paul Renie, Dulaney HS, Cockeysville, MD
  • Sean Naron, Dulaney HS, Cockeysville, MD
  • Antonio Ricciardi, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, CA
  • David Hanyok, Pennsbury HS West Campus, Yardley, PA
  • Grace Jung Glenbrook HS, Glenview, IL
  • Tamar Holoshitz, Huron HS, Ann Arbor, MI
  • Benjamin Bingham, Homeschooled, Seffner, FL
  • Sarah Chui, International Christian School, Sham Tseng NT, Hong Kong, China
  • Emi Ling, Academy for the Advancement of Science and Technology, Cresskill, NJ
  • Max Child, Polytechnic School, Pasadena, CA
  • Gavin C. Wandrey, Kenston HS, Chagrin Falls, OH
  • Kate Buckley, Capital HS, Olympia, WA
  • Allysia Finley, Foothill HS, Santa Ana, CA
  • David Sangokoya, Baton Rouge Magnet HS, Baton Rouge, LA
  • Rebecca Wall, Clayton HS, St. Louis, MO
  • Andrea Oliva, Elk Grove HS, Elk Grove, CA
  • Michael Hammersley, Harker School, San Jose, CA
  • Yi Sun, Harker School, San Jose, CA
  • Annette Konoske-Graf, Point Loma HS, San Diego, CA
  • Jordon Armstrong, Spanish River HS, Boca Raton, FL
  • Veronica Boubnova, University City HS, San Diego, CA
  • Joshua Hendrich Karp, Norfolk Collegiate School, Norfolk, VA
  • Adam Blumencranz, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Hannah Dillon, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Henry Fok, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Steve Chartan, John J. Miller Great Neck North HS, Great Neck, NY
  • Zach Martin, Victor Central HS, Victor, NY
  • Brynn Champney, Victor Central HS, Victor, NY
  • Dennis Zollo, Victor Central HS, Victor, NY
  • Dan Burdman, Ramapo HS, Wyckoff, NJ
  • Alex Jones, Chattahoochee HS, Alpharetta, GA
  • Megan Sennett, Chattahoochee HS, Alpharetta, GA
  • Asia Meana, Lassiter HS, Woodstock, GA
  • Emily Prince, Dulaney HS, Lutherville, MD
  • Laurel Reese, Lakeside HS, Atlanta, GA
  • Mike Yuan, The Charter School of Wilmington, Hockessin, DE
  • Zena Hardt, The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools, Chicago, IL
  • Corey Sweeney, Nashua Senior HS South, Nashua, NH
  • Elizabeth Lakata, Lower Moreland HS, Huntingdon Valley, PA
  • Elizabeth Pinto, Shenendehowa HS East, Clifton Park, NY
  • Ronak Rekani, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, CA
  • Brynna Laughlin, West Carrollton HS, West Carrollton, OH
  • Holly Sue Rater, Helena HS, East Helena, MT
  • Amy Wang, Bridgewater-Raritan Regional HS, Bridgewater, NJ
  • J. Keith Hall, Chattahooche HS, Alpharetta, GA
  • Morgan Henry, Chattahooche HS, Alpharetta, Ga
  • Joan Kim, Chattahooche HS, Alpharetta, GA
  • Lenore Dukes, Albermarle HS, Charlottesville, VA
  • Julie Kittel, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Anne Roane, Albermarle HS, Charlottesville, VA
  • Susan Metallo, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Arin Noble, Albermarle HS, Charlottesville, VA
  • Meredith Goodloe, Albermarle HS, Charlottesville, VA
  • Lauren Sullivan, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Christine Trotta, Albermarle HS, Earlysville, VA
  • Evan Dawson, Rockville HS, Vernon, CT
  • Amanda Morrison, Hanford West HS, Hanford, CA
  • Alexander Parets, Scarsdale HS, Scarsdale, NY
  • Nathan Gould, Scarsdale HS, Scarsdale, NY
  • Matthew Shields, Scarsdale HS, Scarsdale, NY
  • Elliot Marcus, Scarsdale HS, Scarsdale, NY
  • Brianna Hankla, Pueblo South HS, Pueblo, CO
  • Justin Durang, Birmingham HS, Van Nuys, CA
  • Carly McGarr, South Haven HS, South Haven, MI
  • Veronica Ohl, Sahuaro HS, Tucson, AZ
  • Marcy Perona, Sahuaro HS, Tucson, AZ
  • Elizabeth Preston, Glens Falls HS, Glens Falls, NY
  • Chase Sackett, Mariemont HS, Cincinnati, OH
  • Emma Castator, Mariemont HS, Terrace Park, OH
  • Jeremy Kuempel, Mariemont HS, Cincinnati, OH
  • Jessica Bissell, Homestead HS, Fort Wayne, IN
  • Clara Yang, Brookwood HS, Snellville, GA
  • Marie Elisabeth Agnello, Brookwood HS, Snellville, GA
  • Kristin Blanchard, Brookwood HS, Lawrenceville, GA
  • Emily Pierce, Brookwood HS, Lawrenceville, GA
  • Julie Reynolds, Brookwood HS, Lawrenceville, GA
  • Catherine Kana, Glens Falls HS, Queensbury, NY
  • Matt Dias, Ludlow HS, Ludlow, MA
  • Catherine Kaiserman, Scotch-Plains-Fanwood HS, Scotch Plains, NJ
  • Peter Maginot, Crown Point HS, Crown Point, IN
  • Jessica Easto, Crown Point HS, Crown Point, IN
  • Spencer White, Spain Park HS, Birmingham, AL
  • Stephanie Conrad, Fairfield Junior HS, Kaysville, UT
  • Daniel Ashley, Conway HS East, Conway, AR
  • Karen Mei, Los Alamos HS, Los Alamos, NM
  • Elaina Murray, Seaman HS, Topeka, KS
  • Yusun Park, Francis Lewis HS, Flushing, NY
  • Hannah Lonky, Irvington HS, Irvington, NY
  • Abbe Sokol, Irvington HS, Irvington, NY
  • Evan Cronly, Irvington HS, Irvington, NY
  • Billy McMonagle, Calvert Hall College HS, Bel Air, MD
  • Colin Levy, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Lutherville, MD
  • Sarah Murray, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Reisterstown, MD
  • Katherine Meckel, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Baltimore, MD
  • Kelsey Jennings, Carver Center for the Arts and Technology, Reisterstown, MD
  • W. Tyler Turner, White Creek Christian Academy, Cleveland, GA
  • Justin Hixon, Mustang HS, Mustang, OK
  • Kimberly Louise Pierce, Kinston HS, Grifton, NC
  • Laura Parrott, Kinston HS, Kinston, NC
  • Portia Boone, Kinston HS, Kinston, NC
  • Tyler McCoy, Kinston HS, Grifton, NC
  • Logan Monighan, Conrad Weiser HS, Robesonia, PA
  • Michael Paul, Conrad Weiser HS, Womelsdorf, PA
  • Mytheos Holt, York School, Monterey, CA
  • Amanda Whiting, Haverford HS, Havertown, PA