By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

AN 11th grade student at Marianas Baptist Academy won the state-level essay contest organized by the U.S. Institute of Peace.
Anita B. Hofschneider bested participants from Guam, American Samoa and Puerto Rico and will get a $1,000 scholarship for her essay on “Youth in Violent Conflicts.”
Hofscheneider’s essay will compete at the national level, giving her a chance to win the $10,000 cash prize.
In her eight-page essay, Hofschneider discussed the situation of children in the Philippines and Columbia where youngsters are involved in conflict.
“This is my first time in the contest and I am so happy that I won for the U.S. territories,” she said in an interview. “I was really interested in the theme which motivated me to join…and I am so proud the CNMI got it.”
Last week, the U.S. Institute of Peace, an independent institution established by Congress to strengthen the nation’s capacity to promote the peaceful resolution of international conflicts, informed MBA about Hofschneider’s victory.
According to contest manager Raina Kim, aside from the $1,000 scholarship, Hofschneider is also entitled to a one-week, all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C. in June to attend the awarding rites.
But Hofschneider said she would have to “pass” because she will be competing in the National Forensic League competition in Wichita, Kansas at that time.
“As much as I want to be at the event, I decided not to go as I will also be competing in the national forensic league. I have been with the league for many years and I opted not to let this opportunity pass,” Hofschneider said.
She said she submitted her essay in January.
“It’s good that the winning essay comes from the CNMI because previous winners usually come from Puerto Rico,” she said, adding that she was surprised to win as she didn’t expect it.
In a letter to the student, the institute president Richard H. Solomon said Hofschneider’s essay was among those being reviewed for national honors. The prizes are $2,500 for third place; $5,000 for second; and $10,000 for first.
“I hope your participation in the contest has been a rewarding experience….and that this experience marks only the beginning of your interest in international affairs and your involvement in programs concerned with conflict management and peacemaking,” Solomon said.
Hosfchneider said she invested a lot of effort in research before writing her essay.
“I was surprised to learn that there were more educational programs for children in Columbia than in the Philippines…and so one of my recommendations was that in order to prevent children from engaging in conflicts, there should be more youth-oriented programs,” she said.
The winning essays will be published by the Institute of Peace, and Hofscheneider said she’s eager to read the other students’ entries.