The Vestal Gas Coalition recently held an essay contest on natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale, sponsored in part by EID Marcellus. The result was some very thoughtful examinations of the opportunities and needs surrounding natural gas development in our region.

The Vestal Gas Coalition decided to sponsor a scholarship for seniors at Vestal High School this year. Students were asked to submit an essay as on “How will natural gas development impact the Southern Tier and Vestal?” as part of our mission to foster fact-based education on natural gas development, based on criteria consistent with a college level research paper.

The main criteria for the essay contest, taken verbatim from our application, were as follows:

BE SURE to submit an essay; do not simply list facts. Show that you know and understand the subject. Your essay should be factual and draw conclusions on the facts presented. It should use rational arguments and deductive reasoning. Make sure to provide support for your reasoning. You may set the scene by presenting and linking facts, then drawing conclusions. This contest is intended to produce essays that show that you have read, researched, and understood the subject.

The scholarship was originally released with a 1st place award set at $600 and a 2nd place set at $400.

Based on the quality of the submissions we received, we decided to expand our awards to include a 3rd place, and to more than double the amount of money awarded to $2,500. The quality of the essays, the documented facts and references, and their ultimate conclusions were excellent and well presented. – Stephen Howland; Executive Committee, Vestal Gas Coalition.

Third place in the amount of $400 was presented to Geno Rocco, the 2nd place award of $900 was presented to Connor McKercher, and Saiema Alam was the recipient of the 1st place VGC Scholarship in the amount of $1,200. Here’s what, Stephen Howland, of our Executive Committee, had to say about the contest, speaking for all of our coalition members;

On behalf of the Vestal Gas Coalition, I would like to commend this year’s recipients of our scholarships, and wish them great success at college. – Stephen Howland; Executive Committee, Vestal Gas Coalition.

Saiema Alam plans to attend Binghamton University to study English and Neuroscience. Here’s her winning essay.

http://eidmarcellus.org/marcellus-shale/how-will-natural-gas-develo...