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The fifth-annual McGraw Hill Poster Contest was held on April 27 at the†Whatley Center for the Performing Arts at†ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ.

This competition gives ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ students and local high school seniors an opportunity to present their unique ideas and research.

Isaac Griffin won the $400 prize for first place for his work that traces the Evangelical origins of the Republican realignment in Texas. Isaac is an ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Presidential Scholar and is the son of Dr. Stephen and Joy Griffin of Pittsburg.

"This is I think the most stimulating, transformative, and memorable event the majority of our college's top students have each year.††We are indebted to the community judges and McGraw Hill for their participation," Dr. Andrew Yox said.

The second-place award of $300 went to Jessica Rogers of Ore City. Rogers, also an ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Presidential Scholar, presented work on the French philosopher Voltaire.

April Dodson of Gilmer won third place for her commentary on cell phone dependence and Whitney McIntosh of Winnsboro won fourth for research on artistic inspiration. Jacob Brantley of Daingerfield received honorable mention for his work on the Texas Medical Center.

Community judges include:†Clint Hardeman, Director of Economic Development in Pittsburg;†Jerry Boatner, former Mount Pleasant Mayor;†Katherine Pang (former Professor, CEO of EDWay);†Rev. Dr. Wayne Renning, Lutheran Circuit Pastor;

Claudia Henderson, ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Foundation Board Member;†Jerry Wesson, college historian and former administrator;†Billy Wayne Flanagan, Mount Pleasant Attorney;†Karen Harmon, Major Patron of ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ Honors; and†Leland and Wanda Cockrill, former educators in Hughes Springs.†Faculty judges included Joy Cooper, Dr. Melissa Weinbrenner, and David Rangel.

The event was sponsored by ºù«ÍÞÊÓƵ honors with the financial assistance of McGraw Hill. Amy Errthum, a representative from McGraw Hill, was in attendance at the poster contest.