Congratulations to Roseville eighth grader Elijah Sailer-Haugland. He was the first-place winner in the annual League of Minnesota Human Rights Commissions (LMHRC) essay contest.
The LMHRC honored the winners and their teachers and families at an awards presentation on April 26 at Brooklyn Park City Hall.
Sailer-Haugland is an eighth grader at Roseville Area Middle School. He is taught by Mr. Gary Schwingle and Mr. Jeff Bibeau. He was honored along with second place winner Isabelle Lombardi from Stillwater, and third place winner Rachel Sloot from New Ulm. In addition to the top prizes, four students received honorable mentions. They include Mae Barnes, New Hope; Brian Carrick, Red Wing; Kaitlin Manning, Lino Lakes; and Draevon May, Robbinsdale.
Earlier this spring sixth, seventh and eighth grade students throughout the state wrote essays that addressed: “Prejudice and stereotypes affect the way we perceive and interact with each other, even when we don’t realize it. How do stereotypes affect our society and how do they damage human rights?” Students submitted their essays to their local human rights commission. Local commissions evaluated the submissions and selected their best entry. Winning essays were then submitted to the LMHRC, and they selected the best of the best. Sailer-Haugland’s essay is available at www.cityofroseville.com/humanrights.