Over 1,000 area K-12 grade students participated in this year’s Venner McCormick Essay Contest. Students answered the question, “If you had three wishes, what would they be?” for a chance to earn up to $200. For the last 19 years, this essay contest has honored the lives of Ruth Blank Venner and Mary Jane Blank McCormick. Venner served as President of the Friends of the Library (FOL) non-profit organization that supports development and programming for Toledo-Lucas County Public Library. Venner’s sister, Mary Jane Blank McCormick, was added to the essay contest and FOL Memorial Project in 2010. Leon Blank, brother of Venner and McCormick began this contest and memorial project as a way to honor his sisters, as well as to promote reading among youth. This year’s winning essays run the gamut of fiction and nonfiction. The wishes range from whimsical to tear jerking, requesting the ability to fly, silence, invisibility, college education, money for foster homes, magical pencils that can write anything, the ability to eat and not gain weight, and money trees.
K-2 Grade Winners
First Place- Sophia Meier
Second Place- Jonah Czerniaswki
Third Place- Drew Young
3- 5 Grade Winners
First Place- Brendan Moloney
Second Place- Ra’Shaun Seaberry
Third Place- Bryan Li
6– 8 Grade Winners
First Place- Catie Dangler
Second Place- Bryce Ruddock
Third Place- Delaney Rimer
9– 12 Grade Winners
First Place- Kate Cherry
Second Place- Taylor Lonas
Third Place- Jenna Schilling
Read the winning essays, please visit www.toledolibrary.org or
https://web2.toledolibrary.org/getattachment/-/2015-Winning-Essays.pdf.aspx
