Student Oratorical & Essay Contests

Nearly 200 Bishop O’Connell students have entered essay and speech contests during the 2009-2010 school year.  Nine students have or will represent the Commonwealth of Virginia at a national level competition in speech and essay contests. Our students have earned over $10,000 in prize money this year.

TWO STUDENTS WIN NATIONAL CONTESTS

Erin McDonough won the national essay contest for the Society of Professional Journalists, and Kristin Bowers won the National Sons of the American Revolution Oratorical Contest. Read more below...

Society of Professional Journalists Essay Contest
DC Chapter
Erin McDonough  - 1st Place
   National competition - 1st Place ($1,000 scholarship) - Read press release HERE
David Bundren - Honorable Mention
Suzanne Holland - Honorable Mention
Kelly Kundinger - Honorable Mention

Sons of the American Revolution Oratorical Contest
Fairfax Resolves Chapter
Kristin Bowers - 1st Place ($100)
    State - 1st Place ($1000)
   National Competition - 1st Place ($3,000)
John “Matt” Retterer -  2nd Place ($50)
Tyler Bergeron - 3rd Place ($25)

National Right to Life Oratorical Contest
Local Level
The local winners are Brian Ohlhausen (1st)  & David Schoembs (2nd).
Runners up are: Neil Roberts and Vitale Christy.
The monetary awards totaling $400 are provided by the Father Diamond Council of the Knights of Columbus for the local contest.

Catholic Daughters of the Americas Education Contest
Court Queen of Peace No. 1872
Poetry
Morgan DiSanto-Ranney - 1st Place
    State Level - 1st Place (continues on to national competition)
Meagan David - 2nd Place
Alexis White - 3rd Place

Essay
Sanchita Gupta - 1st Place
    State Level - 2nd Place
Sophia Sacarras - 2nd Place
Ashley Darang - 3rd Place

Voice of Democracy Oral Essay Contest
VFW Post 3150
Vitale Christy - 1st Place ($500)
Sarah McCarthy - 2nd Place ($300)
Caroline VonGoihman  - Hon. Mention ($75)

America Legion Oratorical Contest
Post 1976
David Schoembs - 1st Place ($500)
    District - 1st Place ($300)
    Regional -  2nd Place
Katherine Young - 2nd Place ($300)
Chase Turner - 3rd Place ($200)

Post 44
Mark Moran - 1st Place ($50)
Derek Wilus - 2nd Place ($25)

American Legion Auxillary Essay Contest
Division IV - Grades 9 & 10
Unit 1976
Brian Anton - 1st Place ($25)
   State - 1st Place ($50)
   National Level this summer*

Division V - Grades 11 & 12
Emily Duesterhaus - 1st Place ($25)
   State - 1st Place ($50)
   National Level this summer*

George Mason Chapter
Vitale Christy - 1st Place ($75)
     State 4th Place ($100)
Andre Acevedo - 2nd Place ($50)
Yvonne Bowser-Cabellero - 3rd Place ($25)

George Washington Chapter
Rebecca Tamiru -  1st Place ( $100)
     State 3rd Place ( $300)
Chase Turner - 2nd Place
Sarah McCarthy  - 3rd Place

SAR Outstanding Student of American History Award
Suzanne Kenney

Caron Butler’s 3 D’s to Succeed Essay Contest
Morgan DiSanto-Ranney  - was recognized in the month of January. She reserved complimentary seats to a January Wizards game and recognition at half time on the floor with Caron Butler and on the video screen. A framed certificate was presented on floor at half time.

Creative Communications Essay Contest
Antonio Guajardo -  Top 10 winner ($50 and complimentary copy of published anthology with his essay)

Arlington Optimists Club Essay Contest
Morgan DiSanto-Ranney - 1st Place ($500) (continues on to regional competition)
Julia Paegle - 2nd Place ($300)
Emily Duesterhaus - 3rd Place ($200)

Alexandria Sunrise Chapter
The Thomas B. Worley Good Government Award
Rachel Frison

Optimists Oratorical Contest
Arlington Chapter
Sophia DeBenigno - 1st Place ($500)

Alexandria Sunrise Chapter
Shane Bean - 2nd Place ($75 and medal)
Brad Zemke - 3rd Place ($50 and medal)
Andrew Duesterhaus - 4th Place ($50 and medal)

Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians Essay Contest
Kimberly Zarnick - 1st Place ($100) (continues on to state competition)

Falls Church Rotary Club Oratorical Contest
Morgan DiSanto-Ranney - 1st Place ($100)
Alexa Dantzler - 2nd Place ($75)

Catholic Business Network Essay Scholarship
Michelle Tansey - 1st Place ($1000)

National Catholic Forensic League
John "Matt" Retterer - Metro finalist and went on to national finals where he placed in the top 6 in two of his competitions.
Ashley Fidler - Metro finalist