Our 6th Grade 1st Place Winner

Congratulations to Cari, a 6th grade student from a middle school in northern Utah! Cari won $100.00 in the Kylie Klein Writing Competition for her essay on England. This essay accidentally ended up in the 9th grade pile and Cari nearly won the 9th grade essay competition as well. Please, congratulate Cari on her winning essay!

Where in the World I Would Like to Visit

If I could visit anywhere in the world, it would be England. On a north European isle it lays, shrouded in mystery, dotted with castles, and laced with historical intrigue. In England's golden age, it was the jewel of Europe. Its vast empire stretched across more than eight countries from coast to coast!

I would like to visit England because of the mysteries that have not yet been solved, like Stonehenge. The great pillars of stone are like a jigsaw puzzle with no picture. Even the most advanced historians and technology can't figure it out!

Along with Stonehenge, I'd love to see some castles: the ancient homes of royalty, some of which are at least as intricate as the Old Catholic cathedrals. Tall and majestic, they rise like mountains. Can't you see it? The banners dance to a wind off the sea, the mist surrounds the towers like a scene from a fairy tale, and white clouds overhead begin crying softly. I would love that.

England is historically important or notable because of the Kings and Queens of England. For example, Queen Elizabeth I is one of the most beloved Queens that England has ever known. The "Virgin Queen," they called her. She lived in the 1500s when men were considered the stronger of the two sexes. Although many people believed women were weak, Elizabeth was such a good ruler that her reign was later called the Elizabethan Age.

Her father, King Henry VIII, was considered a tyrant. King Henry VIII married six times and only his third wife was allowed to live all her days with him in peace. Most likely it was because she bore (and died giving birth) to his only son, Edward VI. Edward only lived to age sixteen, he died of tuberculosis. In short, many of the English royalty didn't lead very happy (or long) lives.

"Romeo, Romeo, wherefore are thou Romeo?" is a quote from William Shakespeare's famous play, Romeo and Juliet. Did you know that Shakespeare was also from England? He is considered to be one of the most famous play writers in the world. He wrote a total of thirty-seven plays and one-hundred-fifty-four sonnets! Shakespeare left a huge mark on history.

When arriving in England, the first thing I would do is find my hotel and lose myself in a dream. The flight from Utah to England is thirteen hours long! After resting and eating, I would visit an old castle from the 1300s and on my way there, I would wish for rain. After visiting the castle, I would make my way to Stonehenge.

Later, I would visit Jane Austen's house and enjoy the peace I found there. Jane Austen, as you probably know, was a famous realistic fiction author who lived from the 1700s to 1800s. Some of her more popular books are Pride and Prejudice, Emma, and Sense and Sensibility.

England has long been favored with talented authors. Jane Austen isn't the only English author who has left her mark on history. Some other famed novelists include J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings), A.A. Milne (Winnie the Pooh), J.K. Rowling (Harry Potter) and C.S. Lewis (The Chronicles of Narnia).

(Kylie breaking in here...After reading this part of Cari's article,I'm wondering if I should follow the example of all the famous English writers and go by my initials.... K.K.Klein? No, no, that is a terrible idea. Sorry Cari, back to your well-written essay.)

England in the 1800s is one of my absolute favorite time periods. It was when men were gentlemen and women were properly educated and did not believe in slurping, burping or making other disgusting noises.

The next day I would go to Westminster to see the cathedral Westminster Abbey. I would be utterly amazed as I stared at the gothic architecture, the meticulously carved statues, windows and walls. After visiting the graves of the famous Kings and Queens of England, I would tour Westminster Palace, then the Westminster tower clock, commonly known as Big Ben. Tic-Toc! Big Ben's hands turn tirelessly and at the beginning of each hour, he sings!

Later I would visit the famed Buckingham Palace where Queen Elizabeth II currently resides. If I'm lucky, I might see the Queen, Prince Charles or one of his two sons, Prince William or Prince Henry!

Outside the palace, uniformed guards stand at attention. The guards stand there all day, doing nothing but looking forward. They don't even acknowledge your presence!

At lunchtime, I would try some English cuisine. Fish and chips anyone? Although I personally wouldn't drink it, tea-time is a daily custom. While the English drink their tea, they eat biscuits (cookies) and they chat. If there was one sweet in England I would have to try, it would be English Trifle (layered cake, pudding, cream and fruit.)

Exhausted after a long day in London, I would return to my hotel bed and fall asleep the moment I hit the covers. Inside my head a tiny voice would say, "I'm in England, finally!"

Nice job Cari. Your essay was well-researched and well-written. I read this essay right after my own trip to London was canceled (because of the spewing volcano in Iceland), and this Cari reminded me of all the fun I would have had in London. Cari, save your money and try to do a study abroad in college for a semester. I'm sure you would have all these experiences and more.

Again, congratulations to Cari! I hope you enter the competition again next year.