DATE: Friday, June 6, 1997                  TAG: 9706060061

SECTION: DAILY BREAK             PAGE: E15  EDITION: FINAL 

                                            LENGTH:   86 lines

EXCERPTS FROM THE WINNING WRITING ENTRIES

Excerpts from the winning written entries in The Virginian-Pilot and Norfolk State University High School Writing and Graphics Contest.

First Place: Editorial

``Lee, Jackson . . . It's Still King's Day''

By Shannon Lester

Fifteen years after his assassination, peace-preaching civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. was honored with a federal holiday dedicated to the celebration of his birthday. However, Virginia has refused to allow a true recognition of King's life by merging the celebration of the lives of Confederate heroes to the holiday allocated for King. In addition to celebrating King Day on Jan. 20, Virginia honors Confederate army leaders Robert E. Lee and Thomas ``Stonewall'' Jackson. . . .

For 94 years Lee and Jackson didn't mean enough to Virginians to honor them with a paid state holiday. Call it coincidence, but it seems that the almost simultaneous recognition of an African-American leader in Virginia and the combination of his holiday and that of two Confederate army generals is more than a simple decision to condense holidays to save state money.

Combining Lee-Jackson Day and King Day is a result of a shallow attempt to appease those who are weak-minded enough to be swooned by the misconception that King Day is a ``black'' holiday, therefore the days of white Americans must accompany his name to create a ``balance.''

First Place: Features

``Is This a Sick School?''

By Jennifer Perciavalle

In the same classroom, three different teachers have suffered bouts of upper respiratory infections in the last six years. A coincidence? Maybe. Maybe not.

When you add in the fact that the room is located on a hall where trash cans regularly catch rain as it drips from the ceiling, you can't help but wonder if the problem is related to the conditions that exist at school.

``I am sure that you have a tremendous mold count partially because of the climate,'' said Boonie Dooley, RN and Clinical Allergy Director at Virginia Ear, Nose and Throat Specialists, when told about the room. ``I'm almost positive that MHS is a `sick school.' ''

Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to a condition in which the occupants experience certain symptoms - like headaches, fatigue, sinus congestion and dizziness - while in a building and feel better when they leave. . . .

While experts have yet to examine or official label MHS a ``sick school,'' many students and staff report coming in contact with SBS-like conditions.

First Place: News

``Debate Continues Over High Schools''

By Kate Hartig

Controversy continues over the future of Dare County Schools following a week of public hearings and a debate about what to do concerning overcrowding and needed repairs at all of the county's schools.

Last spring, the Dare County School Board hired Boney Architects, a Wilmington-based firm, to assess the future needs of the country's schools into the next century. As consultants, the firm was asked to look at all options, have no preconceived notions and to make sure their recommendations would reach into the next century.

During three public hearings held at Cape Hatteras, Manteo Middle and First Flight Elementary schools, Dec. 3-5, Dare County residents had an opportunity to hear the findings of Boney Architects and express their opinions.

First Place: Sports

``Falcon Athletes Accept Sacrifices . . .''

By Andrea Bussey

Falcon athletes are more than just the ``stars'' fans see excel on the courts, fields, or tracks; most students, teachers, and sometimes even parents do not realize just what goes into being the successful student-athlete whom many read about in the daily newspaper.

Athletes of any Falcon sport know that becoming a district, region, and especially state champion involves sacrifice. ``Sacrifice'' - time, partying, academics - has a different meaning for each individual athlete; however, most will agree that their team, their sport and their hard work all take the place of things that may seem to be more fun or a little more relaxing at times.

Take, for instance, seniors Lydia Cuthrell. . . .

``While other people are having fun, you have to practice and consistently work hard,'' Cuthrell said. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Shannon Lester

Andrea Bussey

Jennifer Perciavalle

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu