In August, Stephanie Chen, grade 11, received word that she had earned a second place award in the Ayn Rand Institute’s “Anthem” Essay Contest, in which high school students submit analytical essays on Rand’s influential novella. For her effort, Chen won a $500 prize.

Chen, who entered the most recent contest during her grade 10 year, first entered the contest while in grade 9 and was named a semifinalist. She attributed much of her success in her second attempt to her grade 10 English class with teacher Jennifer Siraganian.