Earlier this year, the Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project partnered with Carolina K-12 to host the inaugural Archive in Action essay contest. Open to all 9-12th graders, the winner was announced this April.
First prize went to Zai’ere Watson, an 11th grader at Grimsley High School, in Guilford County, North Carolina, whose essay, It Ends When They End, detailed the 1946 killing of J.C. Farmer in Wilson County, NC.
Farmer, a 19 year-old WWII veteran, was killed by a posse in Wilson County, NC. He was waiting for a bus when a policeman attacked him. Following a scuffle with the officer, Farmer was shot and killed.
Watson’s work stood out for its clarity, depth, and compelling evidence-based writing. “The topic felt powerful and relevant, pushing me to explore it further,” said Watson. “I learned how deeply rooted corruption can be in our systems. While there are individuals who stand up and fight against injustices, lasting change requires those perpetuating the wrongdoing to recognize and transform their behavior. This process taught me that even though progress might feel slow or impossible, every effort to shed light on these issues matters.”
Watson said she was shocked to hear of her victory but feels immense pride and is motivated to persevere with her studies. “This achievement means so much to me because it serves as a reminder that even the smallest seed of effort can grow into something extraordinary,” she said. “It’s not just about the recognition or prize; it’s about proving to myself that perseverance pays off.”
Second prize went to Ashleigh Moseley, an 11th grader at Roanoke Rapids High School in Halifax County, NC. Her essay focused on the case of Laura Woods, whose body was discovered hanging by a plow chain from a tree in Rowan County, NC in 1930.
Initially suspected a suicide, a subsequent investigation and coroner’s jury concluded Wood was hanged after being rendered unconscious. Her husband, Neal Wood, said she left home for an engagement to help with laundering at a nearby house but never arrived.
“When I came across the case of Laura Woods, it stuck out to me immediately,” said Moseley. “It is crucial that we educate ourselves and discuss even the most painful and vile points in history so that we are better poised to combat injustice as a society.”
Honorable mentions went to Sebastian LaRoche, a 12th grader at Middle Creek High School, and Hayden Jenkins, who is currently in 10th grade at East Mecklenburg High School. They wrote about the killings of J.C. Farmer and Eleanor Rush, respectively.
Seventeen year-old Rush was killed by prison guards in Raleigh, Wake County, NC. During a prison riot, guards claimed Rush was yelling and swearing. In the process of gagging and restraining her, the guards inflicted fatal spinal injuries. The State Industrial Commission ruled that the prison officials were negligent and awarded Rush’s estate $3,000. The award was upheld by the North Carolina Supreme Court.
To enter the contest, students were instructed to select one incident from a packet of resources provided by the Burnham-Nobles Digital Archive in Action: North Carolina Initiative. Students’ original writing had to be historically defensible and establish a line of reasoning supported by at least four cited primary sources. Prizes amounted to $1,500.
Carolina K-12 is a program which extends UNC Chapel Hill’s resources to North Carolina’s K-12 educators.
Featured image: Archive in Action Essay Contest Winners (left to right) Zai’ere Watson, Sebastian LaRoche, Ashleigh Moseley, and Hayden Jenkins.
Join our mailing list
Receive the latest news about CRRJ's work, events and programs.
By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive email communications from The Civil Rights and Restorative Justice Project https://crrj.org. You can unsubscribe any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link found at the bottom of every email. Serviced by Constant Contact.