By: Dr. Andrew Yox, Honors Director
Expertise has its own rewards, and in the case of history essays at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ, the reward might be something greater than an ‘A’. For the fifth year in a row, history at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ will feature the Bonnie Spencer Awards for the best three research papers in non-honors classes. This year, the awards will be doubled to $200 for first place, $100 for second place, and to $25 for third place.
Essays should be at least 1,000 words with correct historical citations. The names of the author and mentoring professor should be omitted from the manuscript. Professors may nominate their top student essays, or students may nominate their own papers. The essays should have been written for a fall 2019 or spring 2020 non-honors American, Texas or World History class at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ. Essays should be sent to areyes@ntcc.edu by Monday, May 8 at noon. For questions about the rubric or or format, e-mail honors coordinator, Andrea Reyes at the above address or Dr. Andrew Yox at ayox@ntcc.edu. The history professors at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ - Dr. Melissa Fulgham, James McGregor, John Russo and Dr. Andrew Yox will determine the winners.
Past winners have gone on to other award opportunities. The 2019 winner, Jordan Whelchel, has just won a special transfer scholarship to Case Western Reserve University that will pay most of his expenses. Others have leveraged the Bonnie Spencer to win awards down the line such as Walter Cooper, McGraw Hill and STAR awards.
The awards are in honor of Bonnie Spencer who, as a student in 2002, started ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ's first history club. As an ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ alumna, she also helped transition students at ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ into the Webb Society in 2012 and into the first of the ÂÒÉ«ÎÞÂëÈËÆÞÊÓƵӰԺ regional historical film series. She has also contributed funds to make the awards possible. Spencer now works as an ICU nurse in Longview and raises and sells Appalooosa horses in Camp County.
