The Gorham Republican Committee announces the winners of the Seventh Annual Madison Prize for Written Excellence. This essay contest was open to all sixth, seventh and eighth grade students who live in the Town of Gorham. This year there were entries from 37 very talented and thoughtful students.

The question this year was, “Is the United States a Republic or a Democracy? Explain Why Our Form of Government is Better.”

Entries were scored on knowledge, clarity of ideas and persuasiveness. One winner and two runners up were selected by the Committee. The essay awards each runner up a scholarship of $100. There were many strong contenders, but this year the runner up prizes are going to Logan T. Vail (grade eight) and Moortada Beshir (grade eight). Congratulations Logan and Moortada! 

The first-place winner is awarded a $250 scholarship. This year, the Committee is very proud to announce Aislyn M. McLean (grade eight) as the winner of the Madison Prize for Written Excellence. Congratulations Aislyn!  

In years past scholarships were awarded in person at the Gorham Middle School Spring Assembly. Regretfully, that was not possible under the current circumstance so the Gorham Middle School Principal, Quinton Donahue, was gracious enough to host a FaceBook Live event on Thursday May 21 to announce the winners. 

The Committee would like to thank the Gorham Middle School staff for its support and all the students who participated for their hard work and their passion for knowledge. You make Gorham extremely proud! Stay healthy and have a wonderful summer.

Judges were Marilyn Amoroso-Committee Chair; Liesl Turner-Committee Vice Chair; Jim Means-Committee Member and GRC Chair; Judith Falk-Committee Member; Jim Falk-Committee Member; and George Vercelli-Committee Member.