Des Plaines Student Wins National Essay Contest

A Des Plaines junior high student won a nationwide essay contest sponsored by the National World War II Museum in New Orleans, LA. Megan Siebert, a seventh-grader at the , won the recognition with her essay about the contributions of Illinois to the war effort.

Siebert’s essay was one of 51 winners, representing each state, chosen to celebrate the opening of a new expansion at the military museum, which opened in 2000. In her essay Siebert notes Illinois’ geographic location, resources and manufacturing as key components to supporting the U.S. military.

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Ron Solberg, Siebert’s social studies teacher at the Science and Arts Academy, said he was unaware of her participation in the contest until after she received the honor. In an email to Patch, Solberg stated Siebert completed the essay in addition to classwork.

“To me this is absolutely the highest level of accomplishment — and of which I'm most proud — that one of our students can exhibit,” Solberg stated.

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Solberg stated he was so impressed with Siebert’s work, he planned to make her essay required reading for his sixth-grade Illinois studies classes.

The National WWII Museum’s “Salute to Freedom” award winners are expected to participate in the grand opening ceremony for the museum’s U.S. Freedom Pavilion in January 2013.

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The U.S. Freedom Pavilion will showcase America’s legendary production of resources during wartime and will include large artifacts including a B-17 Flying Fortress, an SBD Dauntless, B-25 fuselage and TBM Avenger.

The Science and Arts Academy is an independent, non-denominational nonprofit day school for students preschool through middle school, according to the school’s website.