Each year the Phi Beta Kappa Association of Wake County holds an essay writing contest for juniors and seniors in both public and private schools. English teachers are asked to invite select students to submit a written analysis of a work of literature produced in the normal coursework assigned by the teacher.

This year, Madi Prentice ’19 and Addie Esposito ’20 took home two of the four top awards which included a cash prize. Madi won 1st place in the Senior Division with her essay on Toni Morrison’s Beloved, “The Corruption of Motherhood by the Power of Oppression” while Addie won 2nd place in the Junior Division with her essay on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, “Materialism: The War on Reality.”

Both were honored at the Phi Beta Kappa Association Reception featuring guest writer and final judge Dr. Zelda Lockhart.