Submitted by Dr. Andrew Yox
Faculty mentoring and the promotion of student research at Northeast Texas Community College have dovetailed in recent years with the determination of an alumna to reward top student essays in American history.† Bonnie Spencer, an ICU Nurse at the Titus Regional Medical Center, initiated NTCC?s first History Club in 2002.† She also helped transition its descendant, the NTCC Webb Society, into its film series in 2012. Now, since 2015-2016, she has funded an essay contest.
Any essay submission by a student in United States History at NTCC can win this highly competitive award.† Professors announce the process but also nominate leading candidates.† For this third year of the contest, the two winners are Alina Castanon of Mount Pleasant, who won first place and $100, and Tonya Hammonds of Mount Pleasant, who won second place and $50.
Castanon?s winning essay explored law enforcement in early America. Her work contrasted various evolving pathways to current systems, including the institution of the day-and-night watch, militias, and slave patrols.
Hammonds? second-place essay revisited the Spanish-American War (1898).† With family records dating back to the era, she reassessed what John Hay once called America?s ?Splendid War,? as the ?Dismal War.?
NTCC?s professorial historians noted that Castanon?s work creatively came to terms with an archaic legal system.† They liked the paper?s powerful focus, and innovative topic.† NTCC?s history faculty, which includes Dr. Melissa Fulgham, James MacGregor, John Russo, and Dr. Andrew Yox, also appreciated the personal connection that Hammonds established with the Spanish War.† High definition detail, and an interest in long-range consequences gave this essay an edge over seven other semifinalists.
Third Place went to Schkina Rogers of Pittsburg with an essay on Oprah Winfrey?s ?star power.?† William Borst of Pittsburg came in fourth with the counter-current stance of Rev. Wally Amos Criswell, long-term pastor at First Baptist Church, Dallas.
History at NTCC offers courses in American, Texas, and World Civilization.† The college?s Webb Society recently won a State of Texas Chapter-Award for its film on Mary Kay, and each year since 2015, NTCC students have published essays in the state?s collegiate journal for Texas History,†Touchstone.
