Community Corner
Kamiakin Junior High Student Takes Second in Essay Contest
Blake Peterson looked at the impact of Starbucks in his submission to the World Citizen Essay Contest. Elena Plenefisch, another Kamiakin student, took third.
Name, age: Blake Peterson, 15.
School and Neighborhood: A ninth grader at , Blake Lives in Kingsgate.
Accomplishments: Blake was awarded second place for an essay he wrote for the World Affair’s Council’s World Citizen Essay Contest. The contest challenged students to identify a Puget Sound-based innovation from the last 60 years that has had a profound impact on the world. Blake essay, titled “Innovations in a Cup of Coffee” focused on the growth and cultural significance of Starbucks Coffee.
“That was the one that stuck out for me,” said Blake.
Blake’s essay covered the impact Starbucks has had on the communities where its franchises are located and how the shops have become meeting places, hangouts, a second office and a home away from home for many people.
“It’s not just the coffee,” said Blake.
The essay contest is intended to promote discussion among students, teachers, families and community members about the various ways in which people can prompt global change.
“We’re very pleased,” said Blake’s mother Amber about the second place prize.
A second Kamiakin student, , finished in third place. Elena’s essay, entitled “Healthcare to Go,” concerned the invention of a portable ultrasound machine.
Key to awesomeness: Blake has never considered himself a strong writer, but a social studies teacher at Kamiakin encouraged him to enter the contest and he decided to give it a shot. This was only the second writing competition he had ever entered.
“I definitely didn’t expect to win,” said Blake.
The second place finish came as a welcome surprise, especially to someone new to writing contests.
“It’s a great start,” said Blake.
Blake still doesn’t think of writing as his strongest suit, and admits that having to sit and figure out where to start a paper can be frustrating. But enjoys it when things start coming together and the words start flowing.
“That’s what the fun part is,” said Blake.
Blake is encouraged by the second place finish against really tough competition – including Elena – and wants to improve his writing.
“It makes me want to write better,” said Blake.
Blake has also started thinking about college, and has an early interest in architecture and engineering. That interest is very early in development, though.
“Where that takes me, I don’t know,” he said.