Jade Skurat awarded for her winning junior high essay.
The Centralia Business and Professional Women and the Legislation Committee recently invited area junior high and high school students to participate in an essay contest to celebrate the women who have historically fought for women’s rights, equal pay, women’s health, and women’s issues.
28 essays were submitted, and judges said they had a difficult task choosing the winners. They encountered essays that were funny, thought provoking, deeply personal and well researched.
Jade Skurat, a 7th grade Irvington Grade School student, was chosen as the junior high essay winner. The topic she chose to write about was the Barbie movie. She wrote that the film’s message, “Because Barbie can be anything, women can be anything,” encouraged viewers to challenge social norms and celebrate their individuality. The movie set a record for a female-directed film that made $162 million on its opening weekend. Judges congratulated Jade on giving an excellent presentation and she received a certificate along with a $100 check.
Paige Baker, a Christ Our Rock senior, was chosen as the high school essay winner. Her topic was the Equal Pay Act that was signed into law in 1963, when women earned 59 cents to every dollar that men earned. According to her essay, the average pay of all women has risen only 19 cents since then. Judges said she too presented a fantastic essay that kept her audience captivated and well informed. She also received a certificate and a $100 check.
Legislation Chair Carrie Perkins-Schnicker encouraged the young women to hold onto their dreams, nurture their talents and never stop raising their voices. She said, “The world needs your unique perspectives, your unwavering determination and the brilliance you bring to every endeavor.”
