First-Year Reading Experience – 2005
Essay Contest
Congratulations to our Essay Contest Winners!
The University of Montana sponsors an essay contest as part of the First-year Reading Experience for entering students. This year, students were required to read Sherman Alexie’s book, Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven, and submit a 500- to 1000-word essay. The form of the essay is open. For example, it could be a personal reflection or a critical review of the book. Three prizes are to be given and excerpts from the essays will be posted on the First-year Reading Experience website.
The selected essays are as follows:
1st Prize ($400): Sara Hamler (from Sheridan, MT)
Excerpt: "Sherman Alexie wrote life. He scribbled down a person and penned in a soul ... Sherman Alexie wrote this book the way real people would see and experience life. [The] people cuss, they love, they fight, they get hurt, they feel pain, and more intensely than any other characters I have ever encountered. I connected with [them], not because I was Native American, but because I was a human being. I was there with these people. I was sitting on the front porch wondering when the traffic light stopped and contemplating the future of the already ‘grown up’ children on the reservation. I was unemployed and trying to choose a diet Pepsi over a beer. I was trying to choose between the old ways and survival in a new world.”
2nd Prize ($200): Martha Sample (from Madison, WI)
Excerpt: "Heeey, Vic-tor." says a young man with long black braids, thick glasses, and a square jaw. This image of Thomas Builds-the-Fire completely changes after reading The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven by Sherman Alexie. Many people who have seen the movie “Smoke Signals” only remember him for his classic line calling to Victor, but upon reading the short stories that inspired the screenplay, Thomas is a much more dynamic and compelling character. Kind hearted and well intentioned, Thomas’ character is easy to empathize with. His strength and strong emotion for his people are central themes in the story, “The Trial of Thomas Builds-the-Fire.”
3rd Prize ($100): Brent Reser (from Spokane, WA)
Excerpt: "I took a large step out of my reading comfort zone when I bought The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. I cringed when I discovered that the book, comprised of short stores, in no particular order for that matter, lacked the structure of a solid novel I crave. What could I possible learn from a bunch of jumbled up short stories about life on the Spokane Reservation? More than I could ever imagine."
Essay Contest Guidelines:
We invite all incoming first-year students to participate in The University of Montana 2005 First-Year Reading Experience Essay Contest.
Submit an essay about your reactions to The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven. The form of the essay is open. For example, it could be a personal reflection or a critical review of the book.
- The contest is open to all first-year students enrolled for the first time at The University of Montana—Missoula, beginning in Fall 2005.
- The essay should be from 500 to 1000 words in length.
- The student’s name should not appear on the essay. Attach a separate page with name and contact information.
Submission options:
Electronically as an email attachment (Word document) to arlene.walker-andrews@umontana.edu. Please type “First-Year Reading Experience Essay” in the message subject line.
OR
As a paper copy, accompanied by an electronic version saved to a clearly labeled disk. Mail these items, together with contact information, to:
Office of the Provost
University Hall 126
The University of Montana
Missoula, MT 59812-3344
- Entries must be received by October 7, 2005. You will receive a confirmation email from Dr. Arlene Walker-Andrews, indicating that your essay has been received. If you do not receive a message from Dr. Arlene Walker-Andrews, please email her at arlene.walker-andrews@umontana.edu.
- The essays will be judged by a committee of faculty, staff, and students.
- The winners will be notified by mail, phone, or email by October 15, 2005.
- There will be three place awards: First Place, $400; Second, $200; Third, $100. The winning essays will be published on the First-Year Reading Experience Website.
Contact the First-Year
Experience Committee
Webpages: Samantha Hines, Social Sciences and Outreach Librarian
Last updated: 3 November 2005