Clinton Presidential Center

Clinton Foundation Announces Winner of "Ideas Matter" Essay Contest

Clinton Center Announces Winner of "Ideas Matter" Essay Contest
 
Little Rock, Ark (Jan. 23, 2012) -- The William J. Clinton Foundation is proud to announce the 2011 winner of its annual “Ideas Matter” essay contest. Berryville High School’s Ben Harris submitted the winning essay and will receive a $2,500 scholarship.

Each year, the Foundation awards the scholarship to the Arkansas high school student who best answers a specific writing prompt. This year, students were asked to respond (in 500 words or less) to this prompt: “There are many domestic issues (i.e., health care, debt, etc.) that our country faces. Choose and define a domestic issue and provide a solution for it.”

“The annual essay contest and scholarship is a testament to President Clinton’s unwavering commitment to education,” said Stephanie S. Streett, executive director of the William J. Clinton Foundation. “Quality educational programming is the Clinton Center’s top priority and we strive, everyday, to support our schools, our educators, and most importantly, our students. The essay contest is incredibly rewarding because it directly recognizes and supports outstanding students who are seeking higher education.”

More than 400 high school juniors and seniors from every corner of the state submitted essays. Essays were reviewed by a panel of educators led by Dr. Judith A. Hayn, an associate professor of the Teacher Education Department at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. The panel selected the winner and two runners up: Destiny Quinn of Jonesboro High School placed second, and Mia Le of Siloam Springs High School placed third.

In addition to the scholarship, the winner and the runners up had the opportunity to meet President Clinton and have their photos made during one of the president’s recent trips to Little Rock. “It was such an honor to meet him,” said Harris who plans on attending College of the Ozarks and studying creative writing. “I said in my essay that as a senior in a small city high school, the big issues facing America seem too overwhelming to think about, much less act on. But Iook at President Clinton — he was once a senior in a small city high school in Arkansas — just like me, and think of everything he’s accomplished. It’s inspiring.”

Upcoming Events

Our Center

Hours

Monday - Saturday: 9a.m. to 5p.m.

Sunday: 1p.m. to 5p.m.

Address

1200 President Clinton Avenue

Little Rock, AR 72201

Contact

(501) 374-4242

info@clintonpresidentialcenter.org

Forty Two

Our renowned on-site restaurant, Forty Two, offers a variety of dining selections for Center visitors and locals alike. Stop by 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday to enjoy a delicious and affordable lunch featuring seasonal and locally grown ingredients. It’s farm-to-table in a modern museum setting. Admission fees are NOT required to dine at Forty Two; however, regular admission fees apply to tour the museum. Visit Website

Clinton Museum Store

The Clinton Museum Store offers a diverse selection of unique souvenirs and gifts, President Clinton’s favorite books, contemporary American arts and crafts, and a large array of specialty items from around the world. The Museum Store is conveniently located one block from the Clinton Presidential Center, and a shuttle provides free round-trip transportation from the Center to the Museum Store. Visit Website

HEAL

The Clinton Climate Initiative’s Home Energy Affordability Loan (HEAL) is the first of a new breed of employer-sponsored “energy benefits” which bring energy efficiency and sustainable practices to the workplace. Employee Energy Benefits are turnkey programs that are delivered in much the same way as voluntary benefit offerings, such as a 401k or Flexible Spending Account. As the pioneer program in this movement, HEAL is primarily designed to lower the employee-participant’s home energy expenses, but future Energy Benefit offerings could target other areas of impact such as commuting/transportation or water conservation. Read More

William J. Clinton Presidential Center