A new award was inaugurated this year when scholarships were given at Cardington-Lincoln High School
The Evva Kinney Heath Memorial Award, $250 each, was presented to Khyla Jones and Taylor Diamond. The award was funded by an anonymous $1000 donation.
Applicants for the award each wrote an essay comprised of at least 250 words explaining certain criteria: Profiling one person whom the writer had known personally and had provided inspiration in the writer’s preparation to venture into life as a responsible, productive and contributing adult.
The second topic was an essay detailing how the writer demonstrated the qualities of visualization, determination and effort in achieving a personal goal- something that could serve as an inspiration to others.
The inspiration for these essays is Evva Kinney Heath, an 1897 Cardington High School graduate, an African American attorney who established the legal status of women’s property rights in the District of Columbia. She had graduated in 1904 from Howard University Law School, the only female in her class of 22 while working in the U S Treasury Department. She was a skilled orator and avid writer who was invited to speak at the Women’s National Convention and the letters she penned provides an insight into history 100 years later.
The essays were evaluated on several points by three judges. Molly Clinger, faculty member and Colleen Biederman, guidance counselor, provided guidance for the students.
This award was introduced by Vicki Kerman.
