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DCPS Students Enjoy Free Sneak Preview of 'Lord of the Rings'!

Turning the Page and New Line Cinema Sponsor Advance Screening of Final Lord of the Rings Film; Mayor Williams Announces Essay Contest Winner

D.C. Mayor Anthony Williams congratulates essay contest grand-prize winner Sam Shindell, of Woodrow Wilson High School.

On December 3, 2003, more than 450 students, families and teachers from District of Columbia public and public charter schools received the red carpet treatment when they attended an advance screening of the final installment of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The screening of "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was co-sponsored by New Line Cinema and Turning the Page. Free transportation to the screening and refreshments were included.

To be eligible to attend, students entered an essay contest answering the following question based on a theme of the trilogy: “What would you like to accomplish with the time given to you?”

Participants included students in grades 6-12 from the following schools and programs: Bruce-Monroe Elementary School, Garfield Elementary School, Kenilworth Elementary, Merritt Educational Center, Marriott Hospitality Public Charter High School, the Creative Writing Workshop at Hart Middle School, Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School and Heads Up.

DCPS students enjoy free popcorn and soda while awaiting the start of the movie.

Essay Contest Winners Announced

At the screening, Turning the Page president Jason King announced essay contest semi-finalists (one or two from each grade). Mayor Anthony Williams spoke to the crowd and announced one grand prize winner: Sam Shindell, a 10th grade student at Woodrow Wilson Senior High School. Semi-finalists will receive a "Lord of the Rings" hat, T-shirt, fleece jacket and poster. Shindell will also receive a private screening of the movie for 100 family and friends!

In addition to the screening, Turning the Page partner elementary schools with participating students will receive brand-new books for the libraries, including a set of "Lord of the Rings" books published by Houghton-Mifflin.

Congratulations Essay Contest Winners!

Sixth Grade:
Tiffany Hawkins, Bruce-Monroe Elementary School
Tiairra Jackson, Garfield Elementary School

Seventh Grade:
Katrina Makins, Merritt Educational Center
Tannia Owens, Merritt Educational Center

Eighth Grade:
Chevez Scott, Merritt Educational Center
Mikel Smith Jr., Merritt Educational Center

Ninth Grade:
Lawrencia Atakora, Marriott Hospitality Public Charter High School
Derrell Lipscomb, Thurgood Marshall Academy

Tenth Grade:
Okezie Nwoka, Marriott Hospitality Public Charter High School
Sam Shindell, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School

Eleventh Grade:
Justin Williams, Thurgood Marshall Academy,

Twelfth Grade:
Victor Quantanilla, Marriott Hospitality Public Charter High School

Grand Prize Winner:
Sam Shindell, Woodrow Wilson Senior High School