The National Archives in Atlanta, GA
Essays
The Way We Worked
An Essay Contest for Students
In conjunction with the presentation of The Way We Worked,a highly-acclaimed photo exhibition focusing on the history of work in America, the Southeast Region sponsored a contest for elementary, middle, and high school students. The contest consisted of two parts: an oral history interview and an essay based on the interview. Subjects of the essays were individuals who were in the workforce prior to 1975 and who witnessed changes in how Americans work.
To assure broad participation, the Southeast Region secured the support of a group of social studies coordinators who disseminated the information to local schools. A total of 112 students conducted an interview and submitted an essay. Winners were recognized at a special ceremony at the regional office. Over $1,000 was awarded in prizes, and all students received a certificate of participation.
Read the contest overview
 Bob Arnold: An American Life
By Collins Arnold
First Place Winner - Elementary School
“Gasoline was thirty cents a gallon, postage stamps were five cents . . .
and the average salary was six thousand dollars a year.”
Read the complete essay
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 Inside the Life of a Dressmaker
By Shanice Lumley
First Place Winner - Middle School
“she gave me a sewing machine to test my skills and my knowledge
of sewing. . . First . . . sew a zipper into a pair of jeans.”
Read the complete essay
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 A High School Baseball Coach
By Brandon Beans
First Place Winner - High School
“The rewards are great! The money is not good.
Just remember—a coach cannot win without players.”
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 Following the Leader
By Alexis Booker
“On a chilly afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee, young Civil Rights advocates
James Orange, Andrew Young and James Bevel were taking a break from
their normal advocacy duties and play-wrestling inside the Lorraine Motel
room in Memphis, Tennessee. . . . Pow! Dr. King was dead.”
Read the complete essay
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 Mortician in the Making
By Allison Higgins
“Some things are worth waiting for.. . . I interviewed Ms. Juanita Sellers Stone
at Sellers Brothers Funeral Home on Martin Luther King Drive in Atlanta, Georgia . . .
What will a woman do in a male dominated profession?”
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 Interview with Papaw the Pilot
By Colton White
“Do you have a grandpa that used to be the
most wonderful, most amazing jet pilot ever?”
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 My Interview with my Grandmother
By Alyssia Grundy
“Thelma’s Kitchen in Atlanta, Georgia. It was a small place . . .
She served . . . soul food items such as neck bones, pig feet,
barbecue ribs, sweet potato soufflé. . .”
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 David Shrewsberry, Electrical Engineer
By Nick Buehler
“He worked at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.
In his job, he used a large mainframe computer which used
punched cards . . . and a slide rule.”
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 The Work of Grandaddy
By Katrina Hill
“His job paid very well. He brought home
one hundred eighteen dollars ($118.00) a week.”
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 Soldier in the Army
By Marvin Golatt
“I asked my grandfather if he had killed
anyone in the Vietnam war.”
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 Pop Pop’s Journey
By Jonathan Slade
“During the 43 years, 1 month and 11 days of his employment at Owens-Brockway Glass
Container Charles had perfect attendance; he was only off during his scheduled time and vacation.”
Read the complete essay
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