Three cash award winners of an essay contest were announced during a “Black History Appreciation Program” at The University of Tennessee Space Institute on April 26.

Robert Vanzant of Franklin County High School (FCHS) placed first, Phillip Campbell and Taylor Lusk of Tullahoma High School (THS) respectively were second and third-place winners. All of the essays were based on the theme “The Vision of Change.” Lusk missed the ceremonies in order to attend an honors science class at THS.

Presenting the awards were Jane Iwuchukwu and Catherine Kelly, graduate students at the Space Institute.

The “Powerhouse Award” went to FCHS for submitting the most essays. Sponsor of the essay contest was Eugene London, president and chief operating officer of Systems Integration/Modeling & Simulation in Tullahoma.

The Alpha & Omega Mime and Dance Team from FCHS performed during the program, which featured a talk by Jason K. Smith of Shelbyville.

UTSI’s National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) sponsors junior chapters at FCHS and THS.

Presiding over the program was UTSI’s Human Resources Director Patricia Burks-Jelks.