embassy events 2009

Ambassador Ashe and Wprost Present Winners of Essay Competition

24 June 2009

Magdalena Górnicka, the first prize winner (photo gallery)

U.S. Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe hosted a reception for the 11th edition of the US Embassy-WPROST magazine essay contest for young journalists on June 23. Wprost editor in chief Stanisław Janecki joined the Ambassador in presenting the winners of the essay competition this year. Twenty-two-year-old Magdalena Gornicka from Opole won, with Bartosz Wasilewski of Malbork and Jerzy Ziemacki of Warsaw taking second and third places. Also present were Marek Król, President and founder of Wprost; Paulina Krol, director of marketing, and Amadeusz Krol, vice president and managing director. The goal of this partnership is to select the best-written and most interesting essay on an American theme. The title of the essay competition in 2009 was “Allies in Need. How America can help Poland and Poland can help America on the 90th anniversary of establishing Polish-American relations.” Ambassador Ashe commented, “This essay competition holds a special place among the public events we have planned for marking the 90th anniversary of diplomatic relations, because it gave the occasion for so many sharp minds and skilled writers to reflect on where Poland and the United States stand at the 90 year mark in our relationship.” The first prize includes a three-week internship at the Missouri School of Journalism, provided by the Embassy. To see photos from the event please click here.