Three Newton High School seniors were honored Wednesday evening in the NHS Media Center for their involvement in the third annual Harvey County Constitution essay contest.

Jose Martinez (1st), Adam Anderson (2nd) and Max Rose (3rd) were honored out of the pool of 17 students who participated in the contest earlier this semester; 12 from NHS, 3 from Halstead High School, 1 from Hesston High School, and 1 from Burrton High School.  Finalists and honorable mention recognition went to Tim van Bergeijk from Hesston High School, and Zoey Hoskinson from Newton High School

The group had 750 words or less to answer the following prompt: 
How is Federalism intended to prevent the national government from exceeding the authority granted in the Constitution?

Local precinct committee person Mike Fellows worked with NHS History/Government teacher Carson Matile, Halstead High School History/Government teacher Derek Schutte, Burrton High School Social Studies teacher Kara Sorenson, Hesston High School Social Studies teacher Daniel Jantz, and Sedgwick High School Social Studies teacher Shannon Murphy to make the contest available to high school seniors in all five Harvey County high schools.

Judges, consisting of Harvey County dignitaries, reviewed the essays without knowing who the author was. Essays were scored and the top three winners, as well as those receiving honorable mention, received a cash prize for their placement, made possible by Edward Jones, Convention of States, Kansas GOP, Hillsdale College, Enduring Love Memorials, Copies and More, Harvey County GOP, Roofing Services Unlimited, Star Drain, Conrade Insurance, Graber's Ace Hardware, Shamrock Car Wash, Axon Display, Gillispie Meat, and Acapulco Mexican Restaurant.

Senator Stephen Owens and Representative Avery Anderson presented the students with their prizes.  Roger Erickson, district deputy director for Congressman Ron Estes, was also present to congratulate the winners on behalf of the congressman and present certificates to the finalists who received honorable mention.

The group hopes to expand the essay contest to include more students from each of the Harvey County schools, but for now, the first-place trophy will remain at Newton High School for the third consecutive year.