Anthony Wayne High School junior Mallory Rettig secured an Honorable Mention in the 2024 John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Essay Contest. The contest, sponsored by the Kennedy Library Foundation, drew submissions from 2,313 students across all 50 U.S. states and fifteen countries.
Students were challenged to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. elected official who served after 1917. They also had to include an analysis of the obstacles, risks, and consequences associated with the act.
Originally an assignment for her AP Language and Composition class, Mallory chose to write about former U.S. Representative Adam Kinzinger.
Her subject choice was inspired by a lesson in her AP U.S. Government Politics class about the Federalist 10 essay written by James Madison, which focuses on the dangers of faction in a democratic government and defends the federal system created by the U.S. Constitution. Further motivated by an interview of Representative Kinzinger on NPR’s Fresh Air, Mallory wrote about how he stood firm in his commitment despite facing backlash and threats following his decision to vote in favor of impeaching President Trump for incitement of insurrection.
“It worked out that the two assignments were in front of me at the same time,” Mallory said. “It was just luck that it all came together.”
Luck may have helped her pick a person to write about, but the revision process is what helped Mallory secure an award in the contest. Essay submissions are limited to between 700 and 1000 words, requiring students to be concise in their writing.
“The students have to have a good idea and topic and really focus on the idea that less is more,” said Kevin O’Connor, AWHS English Language Arts and Composition teacher. “They have to explain a complex story in a short package. It’s a tough task.”
Mallory said she tried to focus less on the paper and more on the overall themes and ideas. She said that she spent a lot of time getting her thoughts down and reviewing her work.
“This was the seventh year that I asked students to prepare an essay for the contest, but it’s the first I’ve had a student make it this far,” Kevin said. “There are a lot of talented kids that submit work, so it’s something to break into the top 25. I’m lucky to be Mallory’s teacher.”
Mallory will receive a certificate of achievement and a hardcopy copy of Profiles in Courage.
She enjoys history and is interested in studying law. Mallory is a member of the National Honor Society, plays tennis and works at Jonathon Khoi Nail Spa. She is the daughter of Adam and Nina Rettig of Monclova.