The winners of the 2015 Fountain Hills Coalition essay contest have been announced, with Fountain Hills High School students Emerson O’Neil (first place), Avery Evans (second place) and Madeline Feyrer-Melk (third place) earning top honors.

A total of 181 essays were submitted for this year’s competition, with a special luncheon to honor the top 17 held on Friday, Feb. 13.

Along with lunch provided by Redendo’s Pizzeria, the top three essays were read aloud during the event, with students sharing inspirational stories with their peers, family members and friends.

The Fountain Hills Coalition, which focuses on the prevention of underage drinking and educating about the dangers of drug use, once again sponsored this year’s essay contest.

The competition was open to all high school students, including those who are home-schooled or attend schools elsewhere in the Valley, who live in Fountain Hills.

Entries were due in late January with a panel of judges meeting to select the top entries.

Students were asked to write on one of three topics:

1.) What is one thing you do or could do to contribute to a positive school environment?

2.) If you were independently wealthy and had no need for employment, what would you do to improve the quality of life for others?

3.) We all have fears. Has any fear ever held you back, and what have you done to minimize or deal with it?

Thanks to the generosity of the business community, the contest featured more than $2,000 in awards this year, including $500, $100 and $50 rewards for the top essays, respectively.

All 14 honorable mentions received a $25 prize.

Along with the three top winners, the honorable mentions went to Brandon Barth, Skye Brewster, Nate Ellis, Jared Emmons, Melissa Ervin, Nataly Gruender, Zebediah Hunteman, Ashley Knox, Kaylee Nelson, Emily Pall, Trista Smith, Christopher Truong, Pearllisa Washington and Jordan Wodynski.

See related story for Emerson O’Neil’s winning essay.