The Culpeper Branch of the NAACP, in partnership with the Madison County African American Historical Association (MCAAHA), announced the winners of the annual Black History Month Contest at a presentation and reception on March 19 at Antioch Baptist Church in Culpeper. Four first-place winners were announced, along with three honorable mention awards. This year’s contest offered two categories for submissions: Essays and Artistic Expression.
At the elementary school level, Cecilia Figliola, a fifth-grade student, won for her essay on Barbara Rose Johns, an icon in the fight for school desegregation. Gracie Dunford, also a fifth-grader, won in the Artistic Expression category for her drawing depicting school segregation. The three honorable mention awards went to Charlotte Jones, Emma Gabarrete, and Sawyer Eastham. All of the elementary-level students attend Emerald Hill Elementary School in Rixeyville.
At the high school level, two 11th-grade students tied for first place in the Essay category. LaNiya Chew and Trinity Shoultz, who both attend Madison County High School, wrote essays addressing the school segregation theme for this year’s contest. Both interviewed their grandmothers, who attended segregated schools, and described their experiences.
More information on the contest winners can be found in the branch announcement: NAACP Culpeper Announces Contest Winners
