Fort Bend ISD Student Wins First Place in John F. Tinker Foundation National Essay Contest

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Fort Bend ISD Clements High School sophomore Karen Wei won first place in the John F. Tinker Foundation essay contest for her submission Together, Possibility and will receive a $5,000 prize.

Wei participated in a Zoom call last week where president and namesake of the foundation John Tinker congratulated her.

The mission of the foundation is to promote awareness and understanding of the First Amendment rights of students and teachers, and to facilitate civil conversation about controversial social issues. The foundation held the contest for students between the ages of 10 – 19 to inspire them to engage in difficult conversations about real-world problems.

Students were given several topics to choose from or could pick one of their own. Wei’s winning essay discussed complex issues such as the consequences of climate change and the need for adjustments to gun control legislation.

Wei will read her essay at the foundation’s upcoming Fall Symposium on Student Rights.