A Clark County high school junior has taken top honors in a $500 scholarship essay contest, earning her school a photo shoot for pictures to be used in statewide college planning publications.

            Sara Puckett’s winning essay painted a warm portrait of George Rogers Clark High and put the reader squarely in the foyer before the first bell, the judging panel said. “You get a picture of that school,” one judge said. “It feels warm.”

            Puckett wrote that every student is different, “but that doesn’t stop the formation of friendships. This is what makes my school great. On a daily basis you will see a cheerleader walking down the hallway with a band member. Students at George Rogers Clark have crossed over the boundaries that typically separate students into cliques. Without boundaries, students can be themselves.”

The contest, sponsored by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and The Student Loan People^sm, gathered dozens of entries statewide. Judges said picking a winner was difficult.

Puckett’s essay was chosen from among several strong entries because it demonstrated diversity of thought and freedom from judgment of her fellow students. “Her essay was written in straightforward, unpretentious language that spoke of the sincerity of her words,” one judge said. “Like all of the essays, hers conveyed a strong sense of pride in her school.” Puckett wrote “from the heart of her school and made it seem as if anyone could walk into the doors and feel right at home,” another judge said.

            Puckett will receive her award on Jan. 25 from Dr. Joe McCormick, executive director of KHEAA and The Student Loan People. Puckett and other George Rogers Clark students will then participate in a photo shoot at the school. The pictures will be used in free college planning guides targeted at each year of high school, posters, brochures and other KHEAA publications.