The Friends of the University of Missouri Libraries is proud to announce the winners of the 2020 Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest, the first-place winner will be awarded a $1,500 scholarship and the second-place winner is awarded a $750 scholarship. The first-place winner is Addison Rinehart of West Platte High School in Weston, MO for her essay entitled “A Pessimist’s Reading List.” The second-place winner is Marina Firman of Boonville High School in Boonville, MO for her essay entitled “Growing Up With Books.” Each teacher of these students, Helen Penrod and Marjorie Brimer, will also receive a $250 award.

The Friends of the Libraries have been affiliated with the University Libraries and the University of Missouri since 1960. The Friends have administered the Robert J. Stuckey Essay Contest for the University for the past several years. The late Robert J. Stuckey was a member of the 1963 junior class of Farmington High School and had planned to attend college. He was vitally interested in current events and enjoyed reading. This annual contest is presented in memory of him.

Each year the contest is open to Missouri High School students in grades 9-12, and only one entry is accepted from each school. Each entry must address one or more aspects of books reading. Common student topics for essays include literary analyses, accounts of personal experiences and fictional short stories. Each essay should be originally composed by the student without assistance, and should not have been submitted to any previous contest of have been previously published.

“We are delighted to offer this scholarship opportunity to smart, ambitious, and creative high school students as a way to support their college education,” says Kelsey Thompson, President of the Friends of the University of Missouri Libraries. “Mizzou is a world class institution and we hope all high school students consider continuing their education here.”