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 Casey
Parks, B.A. 2005, was recently chosen for a trip of a lifetime.
New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof opened a “Win
a Trip” essay contest in March of this year, the prize
being a $1,000 award and a journalistic journey to neglected
areas of Africa. Out of over 3,800 applicants, Parks was selected
for her beautiful essay describing her willingness to report
on and reside in destitute areas, her exceptional background
in journalism, and her burning desire to travel the world.
Parks'
gift for writing was evident during her years at Millsaps. She
was a brilliant English major, editor-in-chief of
the Purple and White, assistant editor of the Jackson
Free Press,
Honors graduate, and Laney Award winner. The Frank and Rachel Anne
Laney Award recognizes the graduating senior who has written the
finest essay reflecting on the values of a Millsaps liberal arts
education. The paper becomes required reading for all incoming
freshmen the following fall. Parks’ winning paper for this
award was entitled “Your Silence Will Not Protect You” and
illuminated her passion for free speech and a free press. She is
currently pursuing her master’s degree in journalism at the
University of Missouri. Parks’ adventures will be cataloged
as she writes a blog for the Times, and she will also
be doing a video blog for MTV-U.
For more on
Parks’ story
as well as her winning essay, go to http://www.nytimes.com/marketing/winatrip/.
To hear Lisa Mullins' interview with Parks on National Public Radio's The World, visit http://www.theworld.org/latesteditions/05/20060524.shtml.
Also check
out the Clarion-Ledger article on
Parks and her award.
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