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OFE News Release

Colonial Day Literature Contest Winners Announced

February 11, 2008
OKLAHOMA CITY -- Hunter Antonisse, a fifth-grader at Nicoma Park Intermediate School, and Manuel Hogan, a fifth-grader at Cleveland Bailey Elementary School in Midwest City, have been named winners of the 2008 Colonial Day at the Capitol Literature Contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.
Hunter was recognized and read his award-winning essay, “What it Means to Be an American,” during the Colonial Day at the Capitol on Jan. 31. Manuel was honored and read his essay, “What America Means to Me,” during the Feb. 1 Colonial Day festivities at the Capitol. American patriot leader Patrick Henry, portrayed by Richard Schumann of Colonial Williamsburg, presented each winner with a plaque and a $100 savings bond during opening sessions each day in the House of Representatives Chambers.

American patriot leader Patrick Henry (left), portrayed by Richard Schumann of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence President Loyd Benson, (right) congratulate Hunter Antonisse, a fifth-grader at Nicoma Park Intermediate School, as winner of the Colonial Day at the Capitol Literature Contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

Hunter, who wrote about lessons he learned during a recent trip to Washington, D.C., is the son of Richard and Jami Rhoades Antonisse of Midwest City. He is an avid reader and a member of Choctaw/Nicoma Park Schools SEARCH Program. Hunter is one of eight members of the fifth-grade SEARCH quiz bowl team. He is active in Boy Scouts and plays basketball.

“Hunter is an exceptional student,” said Kelli Henry, his fifth-grade teacher. “As soon as he finishes his work, he is reading. Hunter is always eager to learn as much as he can.”

Manuel wrote his essay about his great-great grandfather, Jess Copeland, who was a runaway slave. Manuel is the son of Ted and Fatina Hogan of Oklahoma City. He is straight-A student and member of the Mid-Del School’s ACE Academy for gifted and talented students. He enjoys reading, science and collecting coins. Manuel sings in the Junior Mass Choir at Greater Mount Olive Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.

American patriot leader Patrick Henry, portrayed by Richard Schumann of the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, congratulates Manuel Hogan, a fifth-grader at Cleveland Bailey Elementary School in Midwest City, as winner of the Colonial Day at the Capitol Literature Contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Also pictured are Manuel’s father, Ted Hogan, and school counselor Jan Morris.

“Manuel is an outstanding young man and a great student who works hard at everything he does,” said Neal Johnson, principal of Cleveland Bailey Elementary School. “When we first heard Manuel’s essay, we were blown away by his family story and the quality of his writing.”

Approximately 1,000 metro-area students – most dressed in colonial attire – attended Colonial Days at the Capitol, which featured a special appearance by Colonial Williamsburg historical interpreter Richard Schumann, who portrays well-known American revolutionary leader Patrick Henry. Henry is perhaps best known for his passionate speech to the Virginia House of Burgesses in March, 1775, in which he proclaimed, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Schumann was joined by Oklahoma-based reenactors including Stephen Smith, as Benjamin Franklin, and Whit Edwards, who portrayed a Revolutionary War soldier.

During Colonial Day, youngsters dressed in Colonial costume recited the Bill of Rights and participated in a debate between patriots fighting for independence and loyalists to the British king. During teacher-led sessions, students played colonial games, learned early-American dances, practiced writing with quill and ink, and tested their skills as junior archaeologists.

Colonial Day is coordinated by teachers who have participated in the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute through a fellowship program administered by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. Cheryl Burke of James Griffith Intermediate School in Choctaw served as coordinator of the Jan. 31 Colonial Day, while Teresa Potter of Fisher Elementary School in Moore and Jan Morris of Cleveland Bailey Elementary School in Midwest City coordinated the Feb. 1 event.

Colonial Day at the Capitol was made possible with support from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, the National Society of the Colonial Dames of America in the State of Oklahoma, Charles L. Oppenheim of Oklahoma City, Residence Inn by Marriott Oklahoma City Downtown/Bricktown and the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence. The event was also funded in part by a grant from the Oklahoma Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed during Colonial Day do not necessarily represent those of the Oklahoma Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.