Vernon Hills High School Student Receives Honors at Annual Art & Essay Contest

On Wednesday, Dec. 4, Vernon Hills High School sophomore Ming Ni was honored for her second-place scholarship award in the high school art category for the 14th Annual "Our First Amendment Freedoms Art and Essay Contest." Ming read part of her essay about her original artwork as part of the Jerold S. Solovy Freedom Award Dinner at Chicago's Palmer House. Ming spoke in front of more than 400 attendees, including foreign dignitaries, local politicians, generous benefactors of the ADL, and fellow student award winners and their teachers and parents. Ming will receive a $1,000 scholarship, upon entering the college of her choice, for her winning submission.

Each year, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) invites 6-12 grade students in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, North Dakota, and South Dakota to participate in this art and writing contest. The contest offers students an opportunity to think about how the First Amendment affects their lives and provides educators with the resources they need to facilitate that discussion. Using a personal example or experience, students are invited to describe or illustration how one or more of the five freedoms personally affects their daily lives.