From the impact of modern technology to relatable fictional characters and the effects of peer pressure, local students recently tackled a trio of topics as part of the 17th annual Fountain Hills Essay Contest, sponsored by the local Youth Substance Abuse Prevention Coalition.

With nearly 200 students taking part in this year’s competition, writers of the top 19 essays were honored during a special recognition luncheon hosted in the Fountain Hills Learning Center on Thursday, Feb. 21.

Essay contest winners were joined by their families, teachers, friends, Coalition members and representatives of the community as excerpts from 16 honorable mention essays were read aloud, followed by complete readings of the three winning essays.

For this year’s contest, students were given three topics to choose from. The first asked students to weigh the benefits and costs of increased reliance on technology. The second asked essay writers to consider peer pressure, its impact on adolescents and methods for dealing with it. The final topic asked students to write about a fictional character they felt a connection to.

This year’s first place winner of the $1,000 prize was 10th grade student, Faith Shannon. The second place $300 prize went to Anya Feyrer-Melk, with the $100 third place prize going to Mikayla Anderson.

A total of 15 students received $50 for their honorable mention essays, including John Adams, Andi Bohlman, Leo Campos, Annika Clark, Corina Deninis, Paige Despain, Allison De Vore, Hailey De Vore, Jayda Hindbo, Nick Knowles, Mia Kumar, Kendra Ludwig, Fatima Naranjo, Piper Ough, Taylor Pace and DeShawn Rivera.

Essays were judged on criteria including response to one of the given topics, content and composition. Essays were judged without knowing the identity of the participants. This year’s judges included Tom Lawrence, Tom Lindsey, Marian Hermie, Joanne Meehan, Maryanne Ackaway and Ryan Winslett.

The event lunch was provided by The Hills’ Pizza & Desserts.

Title Sponsor was the Verne C. Johnson Family Foundation, with numerous local entities and individuals contributing to award funding.